“FEDERAL COUNGI 
OF THE CHURCHE 
CHRIST IN AME 


pl ae te 


Paani 


DUKE 
UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 


Se at genes Bey at Sa x 


Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2022 with funding from 
Duke University Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/federalcouncilof01 fede 


BISHOP HE. R. HENDRIX, D.D., LL.D., 
President of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. 


Federal Council 


of the 
Churches of Christ in America 
Report of the First Meeting of the Federal Council 


Philadelphia 
1908 


EDITED BY 


ELIAS B. SANFORD, D.D. 


Corresponding Secretary 


THE REVELL PRESS 
NEW YORK 


‘ 


New York: 


81-82 Bible House 


Introduction 


This volume contains the record of proceedings and action 
in connection with a movement which marks a new era in 
the history of Christianity. The response to the Letter Mis- 
sive sent to the leading ecclesiastical bodies of the United 
States in 1903 by the National Federation of Churches and 
Christian Workers, gave assurance that the time was ripe 
for the consideration of the possibilities of Church Federation 
by an officially delegated convention. 

The Inter-Church Conference held in New York, November 
15-21, 1905, brought together the chosen representatives of 
thirty Christian bodies. After careful deliberation these del- 
egates from Churches having an aggregate membership of 
more than seventeen million communicants, adopted a Plan 
of Federation and recommended it for the acceptance of the 
constituent bodies through their highest judicatories, confer- 
ences and councils. By the unanimous action of these great 
national assemblies the Plan was ratified and has become the 
working constitution of the Federal Council of the Churches 
of Christ in America. 

Under its provisions the Executive Committee appointed in 
1905, had charge of the arrangements for the first meeting of 
the Council. These labors crowned with success were made 
delightful by the hospitalities of the Churches of Philadel- 
phia. As stated in its Constitution, the purpose of the Fed- 
eral Council is ‘‘to manifest the essential oneness of the Chris- 
tian Churches of America in Jesus Christ as their Divine Lord 
and Saviour, and to promote the spirit of fellowship, service 
and co-operation among them.”’ 

The method pursued in preparing the way for helpful dis- 
cussion and fruitful action during the sessions of the Council 
secured the garnered thought of mature consideration in Com- 
mittee work extending over several months. The reports of 
these committees were submitted in printed form. The resolu- 
tions appended to the reports alone came under discussion and 

- 11 


4598'70 


IV INTRODUCTION. 


in their final form are sent forth to the world with the ap- 
proval of the Council. 

The pages of this volume contain the record of decisions, 
epoch-making in their scope and influence. On every side 
it is conceded that the first meeting of the Federal Council 
opens a new chapter in the history of American Chris- 
tianity and the cause of Christian Unity. The spirit 
manifested in the Council and the conclusions reached 
with practical unanimity after full discussion, give promise 
that the Churches of our Country will in the future stand 
together as never before in united efforts for the advancement 
of the Kingdom of God. 

The early publication of this volume has been made possi- 
ble through the co-operation of the Rev. John Bancroft 
Devins, D.D., Chairman of the Committee on Literature and 
Education. The report of this Committee, published as the 
Foreword, indicates to some extent the large amount of work 
in connection with the details of publication that has been 
eared for. It gives me pleasure to make grateful mention of 
the assistance given by my officially appointed co-worker in 
the preparation and editing of this volume. 

Exias B. SANFORD. 


FOREWORD 


By direction of the Federal Council the Minutes of the 
various sessions are to be published by the Committee on Lit- 
erature and Education under the Editorship- of the Corre- 
sponding Secretary. 

The plan of this volume is somewhat unique and a word of 
explanation may serve the reader. Like ancient Gaul it has 
three parts: one is devoted to the business sessions, telling who 

_the delegates to the Council were and what they did in busi- 
ness hours; another shows what the accredited representatives 
thought about themes concerning the development of the 
Kingdom of God, and the conelusions which the Council 
reached after considering their reflections; and the third 
contains a stenographic report of the inspirational meet- 
ings, which should stir the heart of Christendom, even as the 
delivery of their burning messages fired the hearts of those 
who listened to them. 

The debates upon the reports, which have to do with exten- 
sion of the Federation idea—the organization, development 
and maintenance of the Federal Council and the history of the 
rise and labors of Local and State Federations are reported 
fully; two or three gentlemen were invited to speak because 
of special study of the questions under review—their addresses 
are also given in full. 

The Committee of Arrangements following the lead of Mis- 
sionary Councils in India and China, whose methods were 
somewhat modified, requested sixteen men to prepare papers 
on specified topics. Ordinarily these would have been given 
as addresses before the Council as similar papers were at the 
meeting of the Inter-Church Conference on Federation in 
1905. Experts on the various subjects were chosen to prepare 
the papers and a set of resolutions, both to be printed in ad- 
vance of the meeting and delivered to the delegates at the 
opening of the session in a Gray Book prepared by the Ex- 
ecutive Committee. Associated with the designated writer on 

Vv 


458870 


. 


~ 


VI FOREWORD. 


a given theme were from fifteen to twenty other experts, to 
whom the paper with its resolutions was submitted, the report 


- with its conclusions being the product, not of one mind, but 


of many. The resolutions only were discussed; results and 
not methods concerned the Council. The chairman of a com- 
mittee had ten minutes in which to open the discussion and 
five minutes in which to close it—the remainder of the time, 
from thirty to fifty minutes, was occupied by the delegates, 
and it was fully occupied. Only one report was aecepted 
without discussion—after the Council found itself, the chair- 
men were kept on the alert to note points from their re- 
joinders. Several of the series of resolutions were modified, 
one being sent back for a recasting and verbal changes being 
made in others. The papers and resolutions as finally adopt- 
ed are bound together as Part II. The reports of the popular 
meetings appear as Part ITI. 

The chairman of this committee has for once set aside the 
judgment of the Editor and without his knowledge prepared 
a full page cut of him. The Christian bodies are nearer to- 
gether than they were a decade ago and they are seeing things 
more nearly eye to eye than they were at that time; while 
many men have aided in this nearness and closer range of 
vision, the one man whose praise is in all the churches is the 
Corresponding Secretary of the Federal Couneil. 

And now that the story is told it is sent forth with the feel- 
ing of the man who at the close of another convention was 
asked: ‘‘Is it all done?’’ ‘‘No,’’ was the intelligent answer, 
“it is all said—the doing remains to be done.’’ That the 
“*doing’’ may be the easier and the result be in accord with 
the Saviour’s prayer for His disciples, this volume is given to 
the Churches of Christ in America. 

In behalf of the Committee on Literature and Education. 

JOHN Bancrort DEVINS, 
Chairman. 


Table of Contents 


Page 
LUST. ath Je ogee SEASGoe © SC Soe R Io ae eae ae aera Til 
SRITOWOTES bo o.5 cso 3 = = 5 mpoi= nim eins winimiepmciniminis eines eee wns eh ain se v 
LLP SPC os OTS Gs pe eenOns 38 ee Ae - XI 

PART I 
WH USS Sit ee ee Bees Sb 
Wedncidazyevenme (welcOMe), 22... <2. 22. cee ces essence ees 1 
Thursday morning (business)— 
URLS TRUS. hese Bea Ri os ein eae ae 3 
PERE ANP OMEN ES FON: MCC 6 UIs wiles ve Sos ses cise ess ss tise 3 
Brechiive Committee, Repork..Of, <<. <4... eee e mse to 4 
ESEHECE AMINA PIECSC RUC ed <ohale cio omnes ane wien Cie ek a so eve Sale whe 20 
‘Thursday afternoon (business)— 

MEU CEPGIPCRIOINCIE Sy Fe cae ee ck oo acs Roleine Sc eioe bas wie els 20 

Interdenominational Organizations, ...................+.. 25 

ISTDELET a RSSnguige oooh oc Ss. se6bees soo ceddeh ope Gee eeceod 28 
Thursday evening (popular)— 

Christian Unity on the Foreign Field, ..................-- 40 
Friday morning (business) — 

DELIA [TEES EG sR cya ei ey er Ag 41 

Badieseadded= to emembership: 2.22002... e.ccccc ce cne vests 42 

WHE MEOH Sa SEAGE os Units) oi,c.ie/e eo co cue win cies es obec eee sees s 42 

Organization and Development, ..............2.ceeeeseeee 47 

Plan of Federations, Amendment to, .............-....--- 56 
Friday afternoon (business)— 

EMS ISR ONMEISSIONS 6 Yajc crs) oie (wore e\e sc eS Sew els oo tA Sse Sek peek Se 56 

@hurch and Modern Industry, The, ......2.........-.5.- 68 

NEON AnH edGranOny WIMANCES, | oo. Soejcis «ose cee apo a eleieiste « 76 
Friday evening (popular)— 

Evangelism and Home Missions, ..............---++----4- 77 
Saturday morning (business)— 

Hite Le SGHOOL LC UNSEEMCHON | Cec 2 nie ojo 010’ Riasiels) sins p wie lwleieierets 79 

rrp ceca CONIeNE SENG Te. 2.2 aegis Semel ees oe aici ose 87 

Wredennidie EFCSeNLCO (2.5. scree He te Seiesyqceita se cd als aes. 99 

President. Roosevelt, Telegram to, .... <2 sc. 2: ewclslecseceee 100 
Saturday evening (popular)— 

“Young People and Federative Work, ...............--.-- 100 
Sunday afternoon (popular)— 

rauherhous Meet tne s 0 saret. aae oileiocidetds 6 ole npae with pieeis simie 100 

Tay QE 1G 117 OE ee SIR IIIS et eee 100 


Vill TABLE OF CONTENTS. z 


Page 
Monday morning (business)— 
Divorce Pwil, ...1...00 5.2 ssn weed an eae «se ae Preece od (Uk 
Temperance Conference, ........... MPs Oe ds 101 
Sunday Observance, ... . i005 sae sie + «0's sateen 102° 
Temperance, 06. \.i. is,. sele e helaaie ht hte Tcsortryioc ocean 103 
Federations, Local, ... 0.05 6.005 ee sme ss + oe 110 
Monday afternoon (business )— f 
Week-Day Instruction in Religion for S¢ehool Children, ..... 115: 
‘Higher Institutions, Religious Instruction in, ............. 124. 
Federations, Local (continued), ..-. -- .)- = sn cine 130 
Monday evening— 
Reception; = \!). sc eee Soa vcete tes sees 134 
Tuesday morning (business )— 
President Roosevelt, Telegram from, ....-.- 22.202... eeee 135: 
Week-Day Instruction in Religion (continued), ............ 135 
International Relations, .......... Pee ko es 139° 
Mamily Life; . 5.¢ nem nse ae 3 cee 2 eee . 144 
Rules of Order, .....2.0.0.+-.s00 50.4055 144 
By-Laws Adopted, ...... wis... osc 5 ce cick eit ieee 144 
Corresponding Secretary Wlected, 22.22). ~ eee 144 
Press, Secular and Religious, 22-252... =. stl 145: 
Naval Chaplains, -...0. 52. .0...5 sou = 2 = oe oe et 145: 
Native Churches in Asia, .......0% 062 so 6 ces Selene eee 145. 
Correspondence, Committee om, -. «<2. - ss. nee 146 
Thanks, Resolutions of, ... 222.2... se. es 0s eet _ 146 
Congratulatory Addresses, <2 > oct. <2 lees cists 147 
Farewell, Words of, .........-..- @ wos ne ce en Bee ee 
Prayer, Closing, «... ei. ees. cere noe wu ce = weer wiateiotenes SLO 
Adjournment, «...5. 54 60.032 3 veces se srr so epee: 
PART II. 
Papers Prepared for the Council, .2.. 2... .. cnn ice eee 153-318 
Interdenominational Organizations, .................- Ne ee 155 
Foreign Missions, Co-operation im, ...... 22 0. smilies 166 
Federations, State, 62... 6. cc cle weswee aces 0a 0 eee 187 
Organization and Development, .....2.....-an>-- ese ws 206 
Council, Maintenance of the, ...........2.... +) ssn 214 
Home Missions, Co-operation im, .......2... 22ers 216 
Modern Industry, The Church and, ......2.....5. 0 see 226 
Sunday-School Instruction, .).5.i......2...0. «00s ee 244 
Immigrant ‘Problem, The, <2... 0... 20sese0 1 6) ee ie 25d 
Sunday Observanée, 22. v.s.s'.. os cua vente sien ok een 263: 
WEMPCTANCE,.,.% siavaercgarevatere cotencic nag cles ares Oo eases * 267 
Federations, Local, 2.2.8.5 oistcee ot cots colchester ee 274 
Week-Day Instruction in Religion for School Children, ........- 278 


TABLE OF CONTENTS. 1D:@ 


Page 
Higher Institutions, Religious Instruction in, .................. 288 
Himremmarlonaly HRCIAtIONS: 2... sucess eis sic vis oslo s vieles ese ciie sees 296 
TPaviatiiy ILMh@5. np Set Slat. citr SECIS: eNO OGL OTE RCE CIPLC a 312° 

PART ITI. 
atop Mca TieM VLCC HUI OSs Sues yonet shes eve s,!ai(e.eiiceueisiaetenvesie Sia Sites) eid teres oe 319-502 
irelcormemtOminem COUMeI ete .sctsr., oo sfoie ale steredsta eicinie)ceisie sles «/eevvieveceo 321 
Chnistian! Umity on the Horeion Wield) s:220...: <6. ---- stesees 343 
Byangelism and Home: Missions, 011520. 222. asec sce cce ents 380 
Mouns Peeople and Hederative: Work, 0:2 ...226. 26+... +--+ ees ees 419 
Miorkimomian, “Mhe: Church amd they i. ..0 2. we ee scence ce ewes 440° 
EOHNETMOO CS wHOT SCT VACEN icin muscle «4.6 clens wsietedecsisieideisiersiae eieieiese ce 6 460 
Hee leo ten COMME Sircycysis wlercicre tier eisis el(aece! a. ave sieve cfeeie ne so. 479 
. APPENDIX A. 
ANDDBICHES- NDS en Goa Biomac < € Coane oun DOORS OG oe np aE one tia rIae 503-518 
TLeatineie NITSTstoy@ had Boece areas Air Grice ene Re ener ar Cee RTO y Se atc eg 505 
erlmotany Nem CO OUMGCU LS varcenerie rea So eyee sis iateiedivce © sia\jsharaielerete sia.e eevee 509 
Congintutronot the Coumeily i... 2c see acwicccee cee wees 510° 
Haya SmoOtmb he COUNCIL, ms vier S wets ce siete trait ine ste vieis e's i Giele Sie s/s 513 
InWLaS- Gi OS Soop eteecrOere Corton Sc ob oh noe crace Fro tome ote 516 
APPENDIX B. 

OG Or Sm OnmL MCMC OUNICU cot acsiele) cpeusjeieys\0 © <leieieleieie elolecelsie eje/eeiere esterase 521 
HTOUUM Ae Uibes COMMITEE S a es faire) <sayeiss') -lare ticsericleue’a.< Cibsewie.« cieieiels se 527 
Delegates Present at the Council, .............. 2 ee eee cee eeee 529 
GomMMhEes MO PATLAN SCMEND,. pay sajelalepere «iste cievcle! «serelersla ssi» one 537 
IPLOSN Of wn Commi Soecogshbe cpouuepobooUbooconbonodouS 542 
Delegates Appointed by the Constituent Bodies, .............. 552° 
ISTCLESS, 2 & aoie 6 duc Genel POSED 0 COs OIE Oia cee in Ne 6c ici aa CIC 57 


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List of Illustrations 

Page 
Bxeademy ot Music, Philadelphia, «.... 0... 0st eee e teen wee aes if 
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TORR AIGTC MeN Vay DDS <5 sjereis.s winds eeleisisia isis clete ls sisialt Wales wave 88 
SEM HONem DMCS i My eID a c/a Waiee aus Cech ener eens Gas bce cis eee es 166 
BSE NO LAMY les te rata y.Uapcvs oun) w ci sichenssyeaynelolete s cudte\eeee ale wiyeis ce ses 469 
TE.Bstl&, NW gd Lig DD pelea gee deta ads. 8c a Gig Oech cree Cree ac ee 80 
SESTONE I nm uam Cr pmeWOV AY mec sieustien ayettterenatchs ten eiaisigliesetei ele) viels\ls sicsneeis w sie so ais 88 
BONG eae Cor aS O ny cioielieselale ie cietoic hehe Gisie. dieieltie sate eis crest ned 64 
Betas Valor DPD oii. loce cate ble wee ot aneiis bebe ek “pool 
“UIDRNDE, SEN Gp IDEIBIS )\a pioace elcid a Eg ty Cece eo Cec ISI Rees ene ee ae 331 
Beal Seam) Sete) DD) eatalea ee oeye ay aden c ee, ceonate Mipekiva ws wieceidis A™OVE jai Shetilivese «6 254 
Sieve liom clin to Ac., UD) Seer ve als arate ee sie Siesta 5 aes cue ernvectiicwe am late ie tei 41 
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PE Telrrco Tac trmee AMT UIGS oeee ncieis lene’ wlcha la ehsiele s were ee GE islets woes e 419 
PETUTO fe C COLCA waiters eter ci cieis c fisieve,n okie ee cvoe clawed sla aces 424 
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PART I. 


Minutes of the Business Assembly of the Federal Council. 
Wednesday Evening. 

Thursday Morning. 

Thursday Afternoon. 

Friday Morning. 

Friday Afternoon. 

Saturday Morning. 

Monday Morning. 

Monday Afternoon. 

Tuesday Morning. 


SED IS Se De bet 


dated. 
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CROSS OF CHRIST. 


ABOVE ALL THE 
Scene on the Platform of Academy of Music in Philadelphia, at the Opening Session of the Federal Council. 


Minutes of the Federal Council 


Proceedings of the Business Sessions at the Meet- 
ing in Philadelphia, Dec. 2-8, 1908 


WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 2 . 
Academy of Music 


The meeting of the first Federal Council of the Churches 
of Christ in America was opened in the Academy of Music in 
Philadelphia at 7:45 P. M., the Rev. William Henry Roberts, 
D.D., LL.D., Permanent Chairman of the Inter-Church Con- 
ference of 1905, and the Chairman of the Executive Commit- 
tee having charge of the Philadelphia meeting, being the pre- 
siding officer. 

After an anthem by a choir of a thousand voices, led by 
Mr. H. C. Lincoln, the Rev. Floyd W. Tomkins, D.D., rector 
of the Holy Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church of Phila- 
delphia, invoked the divine blessing. After the reading of 
the Scripture, and prayer, the presiding officer delivered an 

address upon ‘‘The Nature, The Purposes, and The Spirit of 
the Couneil.’’ (See page 321.) 

Addresses of welcome were then delivered by two Phila- 
delphia pastors: the Rev. George E. Rees, D.D., of the Taber- 
nacle Baptist Church and the Rev. Stephen W. Dana, D.D., 
of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church. (See pages 327, 
331.) 

Responses were made by two New York pastors: the Rey. 

. Wallace MacMullen, D.D., of the Madison Avenue Methodist 
-Episeopal Church, of Manhattan, and the Rev. A. J. Lyman, 
D.D., of the South Congregational Church, of Brooklyn. 
(See pages 333, 339.) 

The following also took part in the service: The Rey. S. M. 
Vernon, D.D., the Rev. H. P. Milliken, D.D., the Rev. L. C. 
Batman and ‘the Rey. E. H. Delk, D.D. 

The Rev. Rivington D. Lord, D.D., of Brooklyn, offered the 


2 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


following resolution, regarding the appointment of commit- 
tees, which was adopted : 


Resolved, That in order to expedite the business of the Council, the 
President be empowered to appoint Committees on Credentials and 
Nominations, provided for by the action of the Executive Committee, and 
also a Committee on Business, of which the President shall be the 
Chairman. 


The following committees were appointed : 
COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS: 


E. B. Sanford, Chairman, 
Rivington D. Lord, Asher Anderson, Edward 8. Wolle. 


COMMITTEE ON. NOMINATIONS: 


Levi G. Batman, Chairman, 


Howard B. Grose, A. W. Wilson, A. 8. Zerbe, 

G. L. Davis, John B. Hurst, James Y. Boice, 

W. D. Samuel, C. R. Harris, ' Arthur E. Main, 

H. C. Herring, M. L. Jennings, Charles E. Tebbetts, 
Samuel A. John, Isaac Lane, J. B. Landis, 

W. H. Bucks, John Bath, W. M. Stanford, 
George C. Chase, A. D. Thaeler, Samuel R. Lyons, 
John J. Young, William H. Black, John M. Hammond, 
A. B. Shelly, Edwin Muller, William Tracey. 


H. C. M. Ingraham, Irving H. Berg, 


COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS: 
Wm. H. Roberts, Chairman, 


Wm. A. Creditt, S. W. Bowne, S. C. Breyfogel, 

J. H. Stotsenburg, Arthur B. Pugh, George C. Chase, 
Edward G. Read, George W. Clinton, George U. Wenner, 
John E. Roller, C. H. Phillips, Wm. Tracey, 

J. B. Steward, M. W. Leibert, G. Nelsenius, 

L. A. Platts, W. N. Hartshorn, G. H. Bridgman, 
R. L. Kelly, H. H. Oberly, A. W. Wilson, : 
G. M. Mathews, O. W. Powers, T. W. Henderson, 
H. B. Hartzler, E. T. Rouse, D. 8. Stephens, 

J. C. Seouller, C. A. Young, J. M. Bateman, 
R. T. Roberts, E. A. Steiner, George H. Shields, 
Wm. C. Stoeyver, W. T. Moore, A. J. McKelway. 
N. B. Grubb, Adolf Schmidt, 


The benediction was pronounced by the Rey. Edward S. 
Wolle, of the First Morayian Church, of Philadelphia. 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY MORNING. 3 


THURSDAY, MORNING, DECEMBER 3 
Witherspoon Hall 


The Rey. Rockwell H. Potter, D.D., pastor of the First 
Chureh of Christ (Congregational) of Hartford, Conn., pre- 
sided. The Rey. George S. Bennett, D.D., rector of 
Grace Protestant Episcopal Church of Jersey City, N. J., read 
the Seripture lesson, and prayer was offered by the Rev. Wil- 
ham V. Kelley, D.D., L.H.D., of New York, Editor of ‘‘The 
Methodist Review.’’ 

The report of the Committee on Credentials was submitted 
by the Chairman, the Rev. E. B. Sanford, D.D., in two parts, 
one containing the list of officially appointed delegates and 
alternates by the several bodies approving the Plan of Fed- 
eration adopted by the Inter-Church Conference on Federa- 
tion in Nov., 1905, and the other containing the list of the 
delegates and alternates who had presented their credentials 
to the Committee. 

(For the list of delegates appointed to represent the con- 
stituent bodies, see page 552.) 

(For the roll of the Council, see page 521.) 

The report of the Committee was adopted. 


ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEETING 


The report of the Local Committee of Arrangements was 
presented by the Rev. William Henry Roberts, D.D., LL.D., 
the chairman of the Committee. 


The Committee on Arrangements, located in Philadelphia, reported as 
follows: 

1. It is recommended that the hours of session of the Council be from 
9:30 A. M. to 12:30 P. M., and 2:30 P. M. to 5 P. M.; that one-half 
hour be devoted at each morning session to religious exercises; that there 
be no session Saturday afternoon, and that the popular meetings be held 
at 7: 45 P. M. 

2. The Committee submits to the Council an invitation for a reception 
at the Academy of Music on Monday evening, December 7, with the 
recommendation that it be accepted. 

3. The Committee reports with pleasure that Witherspoon Hall has 
been placed at the disposal of the Council for its business and other 
sessions, so far as necessary, by the Presbyterian Board of Publication 
and Sabbath-school Work. 


4 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


4. The Committee also arranged for the Welcome Meeting, in the 
Academy of Music, the evening of Wednesday, December 2d. 
5. The Committee, in the name of the Churches of Philadelphia, wel- 
comes the Council to the city and its hospitality. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Wo. H. RoBeErts, 
Chairman. 


After brief addresses by chairman of sub-committees of the 
Committee of Arrangements, the report was accepted, and the 
recommendations were approved. 

The Hon. Robert N. Willson, President of the Presbyterian 
Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work, made an 
address of welcome, to which the presiding officer responded. 

Action of the Executive Committee 

The report of the Executive Committee having charge of 
the Arrangements for the Council under the Authority of the 
Inter-Church Conference of 1905 was presented in three 
parts: one by the Chairman, another by the Corresponding 
Secretary, and the third by the Treasurer, all of which 
were adopted. 

REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN 


The Rey. William H. Roberts, D.D., LL.D., the Chairman 
of the Executive Committee, presented the following report: 


DEAR BRETHREN: The Executive Committee whose Report 
is herewith submitted, was empowered to act for this Council, 
first, by a Resolution of the Inter-Church Conference on Fed- 
eration, which met at Carnegie Hall, Nov. 15-21, 1905. The 
resolution reads: 


“‘That the Executive Committee of the National Fed- 
eration of Churches and Christian Workers is hereby 
requested and authorized to act for this Inter-Chureh 
Conference, as the organizing committee to carry forward 
the work made necessary by the adoption of the Plan of 
Federation, report to be made to the Federal Council 
in 1908.’’ 


The Executive Committee thus instructed was increased by 
authority of the Conference by the addition of one represen- 
tative for each constituent body. 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY MORNING. 5 


The second source of the Committee’s authority is found in 
the action of the Churches represented in the Council. By 
the terms of the Plan of Federation, approved by the Inter- 
Church Conference of 1905, it was provided that said Plan 
should become operative when approved by two-thirds of the 
constituent Churches. The Plan went into operation by ac- 
tion on the part of the churches early in the present year, and 
as a result the following provision became of force, viz: 


‘“In ease the Plan of Federation is approved by two- 
thirds of the proposed constituent bodies, the Executive 
Committee of the National Federation of Churches and 
Christian Workers, which has called this Federation, is 
requested to call the Federal Council to meet at a fitting 
place in December, 1908.”’ 


The Committee has carried forward the work entrusted to 
it under the direction of its officers, and of sub-committees 
duly appointed. The officers are, Rev. Wm. H. Roberts, D.D., 
LL.D., Chairman; Rev. Frank Mason North, D.D., Vice 
Chairman; Rey. Elias B. Sanford, D.D., Secretary, and Mr. 
Alfred R. Kimball, Treasurer. The Secretary will report as 
to certain details of the general work of the Committee. This 
Report deals with the following matters: 

I. THE CHARACTER OF THE COUNCIL AND ITs RELATION TO 
THE CHURCHES. It is important that there should be a clear 
understanding upon these two matters. When the constituent 
bodies represented in the Council were first approached with a 
view to their co-operative work, it was clearly stated that 
what was “‘proposed was a federation of denominations to be 
created by the denominations themselves.’’ It was also defi- 
nitely announced in connection with the first proposal for 
Federation, that it was addressed to the Churches which were 
already in fraternal relations and in substantial agreement 
as to fundamental Christian doctrine, and the invitations to 
the Conference were extended only to such Churches. 

The objects of the Federation, further, were indicated in 
the following words: 


‘We believe that the great Christian bodies in our 
country should stand together, should lead in the discus- - 


6 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


sion of and give impulse to all great movements that 
make for righteousness. We believe that questions like 
those of marriage and divorce, Sabbath desecration, social 
evils, child labor, the relation of labor to capital, prob- 
lems that are created by foreign immigration, the better- 
ing of the conditions of the laboring classes, and the moral 
and religious training of the young,—coneern Christians 
of every name, and demand their united and concerted 
action if the Church is to lead effectively in the conquest 
of the world for Christ.’’ 

‘‘Tt is our conviction that there should be a closer 
union of the forces and a more effective use of the re- 
sources of the Christian Churches in the different cities 
and towns, and when feasible, in other communities and 
fields, with a view to an increase of power and of results 
in all Christian work.”’ 

‘“We doubt not that all will agree that the different 
Christian communions, largely one in spirit and devoted 
to one Lord, should by united effort, make visible to the 
world their catholic unity that the world may know 
‘Him whom the Father hath sent,’ and that at length His 
prayer for the oneness of His people may be more fully 
answered.”’ 


In addition, in view of the fact that the Plan of Federation 
has been adopted, it is important to draw special attention to 
Article No. 4 of the Plan, which reads: 


“‘4. This Federal Council shall have no authority over 
the constituent bodies adhering to it; but its province 
shall be limited to the expression of its counsel and the 
recommending of a course of action in matters of com- 
mon interest to the Church’s local councils and individual 
Christians. ; 

““Tt has no authority to draw up a common creed or form 
of government or of worship, or in any way to limit the 
full autonomy of the Christian bodies adhering to it.” 


It is clear, therefore, by the history of the Federation move- 
ment that the Council as to its character is an organized body, 
officially connected with and representative of the several de- 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY MORNING. 7 
nominations adopting the Plan of Federation, and holding to 
historical and evangelical Christianity. Whether other than 
denominational bodies shall be represented therein is a ques- 
tion which has been referred to the several constituent bodies, 
and also to this first meeting of the Federal Council. 

Further, the Council in its relation to the Churches is simply 
an advisory body, depending for the approval of its acts 
upon the reasonableness of its conclusions, and also upon the 
good will of the constituent bodies. 

II. CHurcHES REPRESENTED. Twenty-six of the Christian 
bodies represented in the Inter-Church Conference at New 
York City, in 1905, have adopted the Plan of Federation, 
through action of their Supreme Governing or Advisory 
Bodies, and are duly and officially represented in this Council. 

The General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church, which met in 1907 in Richmond, Va., while not adopt- 
ing the Plan, yet authorized its Commission on Christian 
Unity to appoint delegates to the Council, and these delegates 
have been duly enrolled. 

The Welsh Presbyterian Church, through its General As- 
sembly, has declared its adherence to the principles of Fed- 
eration, and the members of its Committee on Closer Rela- 
tions and Union have been seated as delegates. 

Churches Received into Membership. The General Assem- 
bly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. 8., commonly known 
as the Presbyterian Church, South, adopted the Plan of Fed- 
eration in 1907, and it is reeommended that it be received into 
membership, and its delegates duly enrolled. 

The General Conference of the Congregational Methodist 
Church, through the President, Rev. J. B. Steward, requests 
to be allowed to be represented in Council. It is recom- 
mended that the delegates be enrolled as corresponding mem- 
bers, and that upon the adoption of the Plan by the General 
Conference, the Church be enrolled. 

III. Puace or Meetine. The Executive Committee, as al- 
ready stated, was authorized, in case the Plan of Federation 
was adopted by two-thirds of the constituent churches, to fix 
the place of meeting for the Council. It was felt that no place 
could be more appropriate than the City of Philadelphia, as- 


+ 


8 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


sociated as it has been with both the religious and political 
history of the country, in notable ways. Representatives of 
the ministers and churches of Philadelphia, connected with the 
Federation movement, tendered a cordial invitation for the 
meeting of the Council. The invitation was accepted in the 
same spirit in which it was tendered, and a local Committee 
of Arrangements was appointed with the following officers 
and sub-committees : 

Chairman, Rev. W. H. Roberts, D.D. 

Secretary, Rev. L. B. Hafer. 

Treasurer, Gen. Louis Wagner. 

Chairmen of Sub-Committees: 

Finance—Mr. John Gribbel. 

Reception—Rt. Rev. Alexander Mackay-Smith, D.D. 

Hospitality—Rev. C. A. R. Janvier. 

Pulpit Supply—Rev. J. Henry Haslam, D.D. 

Music—Mr. H. C. Lincoln. 

Press—Rev. R. W. Miller, D.D. 

Halls and Meetings—Rev. W. H. Oxtoby, D.D. 


This Committee will submit its own report, and it is recom- 
mended that a Special Committee be appointed by the Council 
to prepare appropriate resolutions of thanks to the ministers 
and churches of Philadelphia in the matter of the arrange- 
ments for the meeting. 

IV. ENROLLMENT oF Mempers. A Committee on Enroll- 
ment was appointed, with the Secretary of the Executive Com- 
mittee, the Rev. E. B. Sanford, D.D., as Chairman, and the 
names of the Delegates will be presented at the time indicated 
on the program. 

The Executive Committee recommends that the alternate 
delegates who may be present, the members of the Committees 
of Arrangements, and the speakers who are not delegates be 
made corresponding members. 

V. ProGRAM AND PROCEEDINGS. The Committee submits 
with pleasure the Program for the Council. Much labor was 
bestowed thereupon, and in all their work the Program Com- 
mittee received from the representatives of the churches hearty 
encouragement and most cordial support. Special acknow- 
ledgment is made of the services of the Program Committee, 


THE REV. WILLIAM HENRY ROBERTS, D.D., LL.D., 


Permanent Chairman of the Inter-Church Conference of 1905, and 
Acting President of the Federal Council in 1908. 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY MORNING. 9 


Rev. Wm. Hayes Ward, D.D., Chairman, and Dr. Sanford, 
Secretary. 

Believing that the proceedings of the Conference should be 
put in permanent form, the Committee empowered a Sub-Com- 
mittee on Publication, Rev. John Bancroft Devins, D.D.. 
Chairman, to prepare for an appropriate volume, and to re- 
ceive subscriptions. The Committee is under obligations also 
to the Chairman of this Committee. 

VI. Commirrees or THE Councm. The Deore Com- 
mittee, in order to prepare in an adequate manner for the 
business of the Council, appointed sixteen Special Committees, 
composed of the Delegates to the Council, and has arranged to 
have their reports presented in printed form. Nothing in 
these Reports is of force until approved by the Council. The 
names of the Committees and of the Chairmen appear upon the 
Program. yet 

VII. Fryances. The Treasurer of the Executive Commit- 
tee and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr. Alfred R. 
Kimball, will present a Sco e aa Report at the time indicated 
in the Program. 


RECOMMENDATIONS 


The following recommendations are presented for adoption : 

1. In view of the fact that the Executive Committee was au- 
thorized by the Churches represented to make the preliminary 
arrangements for the Council, and in view of the respousibility 
of the Committee for the full performance of its duties, 

Resolved, That the Committee be continued in the manage- 
ment of the Program throughout the sessions of the Council, 
and that the Philadelphia Committee of Arrangements also 
act upon matters entrusted to it until the business be com- 
pleted. 

2. Resolved, That two committees be appointed by the 
Council for the consideration of such miscellaneous business 
as may come before the body, viz., a Committee on Business,* 
and a Committee on Correspondence; the Committee on Busi- 
ness to be composed of forty persons, and that on Correspond- 
ence of ten persons. 


*See proceedings of Wednesday, Dec. 2, page 2. 


10 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


3. Resolved, That the appointment of the Special Commit- 
tees to report to the Council, and the printing of their reports 
be approved. Also that ten minutes be allotted to the Chair- 
man for the presentation of Reports, that five minutes be 
given to each other speaker, and five minutes to the Chairman 
to close the discussion. 

4. Resolved, That the reports of the Committees, in such 
detail as may be necessary, be printed in the Volume of Pro- 
ceedings. 

5. Resolved, That all resolutions and communications of 
any and every character presented to the Council by members 
or addressed to its officers, shall be considered before action 
is taken thereon, by the Committee on Business, and shall 
be reported by said Committee to the Council. 

6. Resolved, That the Committee on Correspondence shall 
prepare a letter to the Churches represented in the Council, 
presenting in an appropriate manner the results of the de- 
liberations. 

7. Resolved, That a Recording Secretary and five other 
Secretaries shall be appointed, whose duty it shall be to keep 
the record of the proceedings of the Council, file and preserve 
papers, and perform such other duties as may be assigned to 
them. - 

8. Resolved, That the customary rules of order for legisla- 
tive bodies shall be for the present the rules of the Council. 

In closing this Report the Executive Committee desires to 
express its feelings of heartfelt gratitude to many brethren in 
all the churches for the cordial support which has been given 
in connection with all the work of the Committee. Without 
the assistance of these brethren it would have been difficult 
to accomplish any valuable and far-reaching results. It is to 
be emphasized that no one man has been dominant in the Fed- 
eration Movement, but that it is the work of a great number of 
sympathetic and willing co-laborers. Chosen leaders there 
have been and are, but the leaders would have been useless 
apart from their vast and consecrated constituency. 

The Executive Committee likewise feels impelled to express 
its joy over the spirit which is abroad in the Protestant and 
Evangelical churches of our country in connection with the 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY MORNING. allt 


movement represented by the Council. In the great ma- 
jority of the governing and advisory bodies of the churches 
represented, the action taken upon the Plan of Federation was 
unanimous, and in no church has there been a distinct nega- 
tive given to any proposal looking towards the co-operation 
of the Churches in the work of their common Lord. LEvery- 
where is their recognition of the statement found in the pre- 
amble to the Plan of Federation, ‘‘That in the Providence 
of God the time has come when it seems fitting more fully to 
manifest the essential oneness of the Christian churches of 
America in Jesus Christ as their divine Lord and Saviour, and 
to promote the spirit of fellowship, service and co-operation 
among them.’’ 

The Committee also desires to emphasize the fact that the 
chief power operating within the Churches in support of 
the movement for Federation and Co-operation is the Spirit 
of God. We acknowledge humbly, as our Guide and Strength, 
that Holy Spirit who is the Lord and Giver of Life, the source 
of all good thoughts, pure desires and holy counsels in men; 
and as the Father is ever willing to give the spirit unto all 
who ask Him, we invoke upon the Council the manifested pres- 
ence of the Third Person of the Trinity, by whom all believers 
are vitally united to Christ, who is the Head, and are also thus 
united one to another in the Church which is His body. We 
have the divine promise that through the Holy Spirit the 
Church will be preserved and increased, until it shall cover 
the earth, shall be purified, and at last shall be made per- 
fectly holy in the presence of God. Having this hope, let 
us then keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and 
go forward in Christian work as one body, even as we are 
called in one hope of our calling. 

In behalf of the Executive Committee, 
Wn. Henry Roserrs, 
Chairman. 


REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 


The Rev. HE. B. Sanford, D.D., Corresponding Secretary of 
the Executive Committee, reported on the work accomplished 
during the last three years, as follows: 


12 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Philadelphia, the city of ‘‘ Brotherly Love,’’ in the annals of 
the Church Federation movement in this country, holds a 
place of historic interest. At a meeting of the Open and 
Institutional Church League held in this city, November 5, 
1895, the writer of this report ventiired the prophecy ‘‘that 
Christian unity as a spiritual reality and practical factor 
bringing the denominations into federative relations through 
which they could work out the problems of Christian service 
in city, country and abroad without waste of forces,’’ might 
be greatly aided by the Open Church League seeking in its 
counsels to exalt the work and mission of the Church of which 
Christ was the Head. 

It was through action taken by this League that the Con- 
ferences held in New York in 1899 and in Philadelphia in 
1900 brought about the organization of the National Federa- 
tion of Churches, through whose activities the Inter-Church 
Conference of 1905 was called together. These activities 
under the direction of this Conference have continued until 
this hour when again we meet in Philadelphia under cireum- 
stances that fill all our hearts with gratitude and thanksgiv- 
ing. 

The official Minutes of twenty-eight National Church Bodies 
that have held delegated assemblies since Nov., 1905, contain 
the record of action through which the Constitution of the 
Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America has 
been approved and accepted. These Churches, with the ad- 
dition of one that is represented in the Council through an of- 
ficial Commission, have an aggregate membership of over sey- 
enteen millions. Before the assembling of the second quad- 
rennial of the Federal Council we have reason to anticipate 
that substantially all of the Protestant Church bodies that 
hold to Christ as the Head will be included in this great 
fellowship. A fellowship that recognizes differences of ad- 
ministration but pleads for oneness in spirit, and united ac- 
tion in matters that pertain to the welfare and advancement 
of the Kingdom of God. 

In behalf of the Executive Committee appointed under the 
action of the Inter-Church Conference of 1905, I am charged 
with the duty of making a brief report of work initiated and 


a ee ere eee ek 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY MORNING. 13 


accomplished under their guidance and with their support. 


The publication of the volume ‘‘Church Federation’’ con- 
taining the proceedings of the Conference of 1905, with two 
full annual reports covering the years 1906 and 1907, with 


other newspaper and leaflet literature represents work that 


has given wide circulation to the history of the Church Fed- 
eration movement and the methods and practical activities of 
State and Local Federations. As this literature is at your 
command I venture to refer you to its record for details while 
I confine my report, for the most part, to a concise summary 
of practical results that have followed action, the origin of 
which in some eases can be directly traced to the Conference 
of 1905 as their source. In other cases they are a part of the 
history of the Church Federation movement of which this 
Council is now the leader in these United States. 

In the beginning of their work the Executive Committee, 
that makes its report to-day through its Chairman and Sec- 
retary, decided that they were empowered to give aid in 
furthering action that had been recommended by the Inter- 
Church Conference. Among the resolutions adopted by the 
Conference I note for special reference those that refer to 
““The Family,’’ ‘‘The Social Order,’’ ‘‘ Religious Activities,”’ 
and “‘International Affairs.’’ 

Every delegate to this Council has rejoiced in the tidings 
that South Dakota has by a large referendum majority ended 
the divorce industry in that State. Hitherto those seeking di- 
vorees could go to South Dakota, live there three months, get 
a secret hearing, and be separated. Now they must have re- 
sided a year in the State and the hearings will be public. 

The papers have not informed us regarding the instru- 


- mentality and organization that was the source of action and 


guidance in arousing public sentiment in South Dakota and 
bringing to the attention of its legislators their responsibility 
in removing an eyil that had become a national scandal. It 
gives me pleasure to announce in this presence that the instru- 
mentality that gave initiative and labored unceasingly until 
the victory of the ballot box was won was the Federation of 
Churches of South Dakota. It was a victory won by the 
United Church of Christ in that Commonwealth. A Federa- 


14 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


tion of Christian forces that in its origin is a part of the 
history out of which this Federal Council has come into ex- 
istence. 

Resolutions adopted by the Conference of 1905, regarding 
the ‘‘Social Order,’’ deplored the increasing prevalence of 
the evil of gambling. Under this resolution the attention of 
the Executive Committee in the autumn of 1906 was called to 
the iniquitous character of the so-called Perey-Grey law that 
virtually protected race track gambling in the State of New 
York and by its provisions allowed the violation of the man- 
date of the Constitution of the Commonwealth which forbids 
gambling. At the request of the Executive Committee this 
matter was taken up by the National Federation of Churches 
in connection with the New York State and City Federations. 
Literature explaining the entire situation was sent to every | 
pastor in the State. The response to this appeal carried pe- 
titions to the Assembly at Albany signed by thousands of 
voters. Various voluntary organizations had before this 
sought to arouse public sentiment but now for the first time 
the forces of evil realized that the Churches in a united way 
were back of this appeal for the righting of a great wrong. 
In his message of December, 1907, Governor Hughes, a char- 
ter member of the Executive Board of the National Federa- 
tion of Churches, sounded a clarion note and gaye the 
splendid leadership under which the forces of righteousness, 
civic and religious, rallied to his support and secured the 
victory that is now world famous. 

In resolutions concerning ‘‘International affairs’’ the Con- 
ference of 1905 made special reference to conditions existing 
in the Congo Free State and expressed the hope that the 
existing situation might be investigated by a tribunal beyond 
the suspicion of partiality created by the Powers through 
whom the care of the Congo State had been placed in the hands 
of the King of Belgium. 

The Executive Committee having charge of this and other 
matters placed in their hands authorized correspondence and 
an interview with the Secretary of State at Washington. 
The attention of national ecclesiastical bodies was called to the 
matter, and favorable action secured similar to that which had 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY MORNING. 15 


been taken by the General Conference of the Methodist Epis- 
eopal Church at its session in the spring of 1904. <A letter em- 
bodying the memorial of the Inter-Church Conference and of 
the national ecclesiastical assemblies of the country, was sent 
to every member of Congress. With this message was includ- 
ed a letter signed by fifty missionaries representing the Pro- 
testant Churches laboring in the Congo Free State. 

In December, 1906, the Secretary submitting this report, 
in company with the Rev. Thomas S. Barbour, D.D., Secre- 
tary of the American Baptist Missionary Union, and the Rev. 
Herbert S. Johnson, D.D., of Boston, chosen as representa- 
tives of the Congo Reform Association, visited Washington, 
and were accorded interviews with the President and the 
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Within a week after 
these interviews a resolution was introduced in the Senate and 
adopted by a unanimous non-partisan vote that gave the Pres- 
ident power to take such steps as he might deem wise in co- 
operating with or in aid of any of the powers signatory of the 
treaty of Berlin for the amelioration of the condition of the 
inhabitants of the basin of the Congo if inquiry revealed the 
truth of alleged cruelty. I need not repeat a familiar story. 
King Leopold did not wait for further inquiry but at once 
opened the negotiations that have transferred the care of the 
Congo to the Kingdom of Belgium. The conditions under 
which this transfer has been affected are far from satisfac- 
tory to those who have made their plea in behalf of the op- 
pressed and wretched millions dwelling in the Congo basin. 
But this can be said, The united action of Protestant Chris- 
tianity in Europe and America has brought partial relief and 
selfish greed backed by imperial resources was compelled to 
recognize a power for righteousness that is the hope of na- 
tions and of oppressed humanity. 

This brief summary of office and executive work illustrates 
the power of federated action in winning victories where 
moral issues are involyed—matters in which, to quote the lan- 
guage of the letter missive that brought together the Confer- 
ence of 1905, ‘‘concern Christians of every name, and demand 
their united and concerted action if the Church is to lead, 
effectively in the conquest of the world for Christ.’’ 


16 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


As the work of State and Local Federations will come under 
full discussion during the sessions of the Federal Council I 
need not make detailed report of progress in this direction. 
Permit, however, a brief message that outlines convictions 
that have deepened in the years of service that I have been 
permitted to render as Secretary of the Executive Board of 
the National Federation of Churches and the Committee of 
Arrangements as a whole, in whose behalf this report is sub- 
mitted. An honored leader in the Christian life of our coun- 
try has said that ‘‘among the questions of the hour, but tow- 
ering above them all, as a snow mountain towers over the 
more conspicuous but less important hills that cluster at its 
base, rises the question for every American citizen who is a 
believer in the religion of Jesus Christ. How may we corre- 
late, and unify and consolidate the religious forces of the 
republic?’’ Who of us can doubt that in answering this 
question of supreme importance the Federal Council of the 
Churches of Christ in America is called to fulfill 4 mission of 
inspirational aid and guidance. The Council itself is the 
achievement of Church Federation at the top. To its leader- 
ship we may now look in securing the correlation and co-oper- 
ation of State and local forces that will result in practical 
federation from top to bottom. 

The divided condition of Protestant Christendom, in 
years past, has been made a reasonable excuse for the or- 
ganization of a multitude of agencies outside the Churches 
but looking to them for financial support. Has not the time 
come, in the founding of the Federal Council, when the evan- 
gelical Churches of our country should plan to regain, in 
many ways, its lost leadership and give united support to 
those whom they shall call to look after the details of this 
inspirational and executive service conducted in the interest 
and in behalf of all the Churches. <A service not outside but 
a part of their organized life and fellowship, realizing the 
Apostle Paul’s conception of unity which allows for ‘‘di- 
versities of ministrations,’’ under one triune God ‘‘ who work- 
eth all things in all.”’ 


Pardon a few words regarding principles that seem to me 


REV. ELIAS B. SANFORD, D.D., 
Corresponding Secretary of the Federal Council. 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY MORNING. i 


vital in their relation to the work placed in your hands as 
the messengers of the Churches. 

_ American Presbyterians have honored themselves in giv- 
ing the name of Witherspoon to this beautiful auditorium 
whose doors have opened with a royal welcome to this Fed- 
eral Council of the Churches of Christ in America. John 
Witherspoon’ came to his fame and greatness not alone be- 
cause of service rendered to the Presbyterian Church, but 
because his life work was in the interest first of all of the 
Kingdom of God. The hand that in yonder historic building 
signed the Declaration of Independence was impelled by a 
spirit of utter devotion to that liberty which stands for essen- 
tial and universal truth as revealed in Him who is ‘‘the way, 
and the truth, and the life.’’ This liberty wherewith Christ 
has made us free must find its highest expression in the 
Church of which He is the Head since the Church so con- 
stituted is the divinely chosen and chief instrumentality for 
advancing and securing the final triumph of the Kingdom of 
God. 

This Federal Council is clothed only with advisory power. 
In this very fact, as I believe, lies its strength. Liberty, in 
this hour of the world’s history is the source of responsibility, 
that in the last analysis is the source of action that is to an- 
swer the prayer: ‘‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done as 
in Heaven, so on earth.’’ 

Not by coercion of arbitrary authority is the world moved 
to-day. Opinions crystallized into common convictions are 
the source of ultimate power. Convictions grounded in com- 
mon need and finding leadership and authority in Christ as 
the head of the Body are to control in making the Church 
the supreme instrumentality in advancing the Kingdom of 
God. If the great Christian constituencies here represented, 
in their ecclesiastical and corporate life, give to this Federal 
Couneil, as an advisory body, adequate place in their united 
allegiance and support, who shall measure the power it may 
become as an organized force expressing, correlating, and 
guiding united action and manifesting the oneness of be- 
lievers in Christ as their Divine Lord and Saviour. 

The American Church, in its evangelical fellowship is rep- 


18 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


resented here to-day as never before in the history of the na- 
tion. It is no exaggeration to say that the attention of the 
leaders of thought in the Christian world in all the divisions 
of its ecclesiastical life is turned towards this Council. A 
body of men that represents to any extent a constituency that 
includes a church membership of over seventeen millions and a 
family and individual constituency of more than half of the 
population of this nation of eighty millions, ean but receive 
world-wide recognition from those who thoughtfully watch the 
trend of national and international affairs. 

Your presence here in this officially delegated body, is the 
assurance that you as the representatives in a very real and 
large sense of the American Church realize the responsibility 
that rests upon you in the work of this historic Council. It 
is our prayer that the presence and aid of the Holy Spirit 
may so guide in all your deliberations and decisions that the 
future may bear witness that you built upon ‘‘the foundation 
of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the 
chief corner stone, in whom each several building fitly framed 
together may grow into a holy temple in the Lord: in whom 
ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the 
Spirit.’ 

REPORT OF THE TREASURER - 


Mr. Alfred R. Kimball, the Treasurer of the Committee, 
presented the following report: 

The ‘‘ National Federation of Churches and Christian Work- 
ers’’? commenced its work on April 1, 1900. The Society was 
a voluntary association of individuals for promoting Federa- 
tion. 

When the Society began its work it aimed to promote Fed- 
eration in States and in communities and at the same time a 
movement was commenced to bring the leading bodies of the 
churches into organized association for this purpose. 

As time passed, it proved that the work of promoting Fed- 
eration in States and communities was most difficult to ac- 
complish except in rare cases where imperative local conditions 
or some inspiring leader had almost spontaneously brought a 
Federation into life. 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY MORNING. 19 


The financial resources of the Society have never been 
sufficient to employ leaders having time and energy to pro- 
mote the cause. Federation is a work of the extremities of 
the church as a whole, as in man, the hands will not work 
unless the head is aroused and informed. 

It was found that the heads of the church must be aroused 
and brought together, if Federation was to be an accomplished 
fact. This led the Society to devote the greater part of such 
energy as it could command, to the work of bringing about 
he ‘‘Conference on Federation.’’ This took nearly six years 
of work and was successfully accomplished in the ‘‘Inter- 
Chureh Conference on Federation’? in New York in 1905. 
In these six years, there was also a large amount of local 
federation work promoted, involving printing, traveling and 
office expenses, beside the salary of our Secretary. 

The amount expended in those six years, outside the ex- 
penses of the Conference and the publication of the ‘‘Book,”’ 
was only about $3,000 a year. A very small sum for the 
work accomplished. 

During the three years since the ‘‘Inter-Church Confer- 
ence’’ the work has again been largely devoted to preparing 
for the organization of this Council, and the expenses have 
amounted to about $6,000 a year. 

The work of the ‘‘National Federation of Churches and 
Christian Workers’’ now passes into the care of this Council. 
The future work depends upon how this Council of the 
Churches will take up the work and earry it on. All who 
have engaged in this preparatory work, are ready to make 
room for, or to welcome, the coming men, who should be those 
in the prime of life with the vigor and outlook of a progressive 
age to carry out aggressive promotion of the Federation prin- 
ciples. Except that Dr. Sanford, who has been the far-sighted 
devoted leader in this work, giving energy without limit to pro- 
mote the formation of this Council, should be placed in a position 
where his experience, and wide knowledge of the needs, should 
be at the call of all engaged. At the same time it is not proper 
that the whole burden should be placed upon him. Some plan 
of office organization should be devised which, while giving 


20 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


him opportunity and support, should relieve him of routine 
work, and the responsibility for aggressive operations. 

A more exact statement of the Treasurer’s account will ap- 
pear later. 


The report of the Treasurer of the Executive Committee 
was referred to the Committee on Maintenance. 


THE PROGRAM PRESENTED 


The Rev. John Bancroft Devins, D.D., a member of the 
Committee on Program, presented, in behalf of that commit- 
tee, a Gray Book, a pamphlet of 176 pages, containing the 
names of the officers and sub-committees of the Executive 
Committee, the provisional program of the Council, sixteen 
papers or reports prepared by Committees, which were to form 
the basis of discussion during the meeting, and the roll of the 
officially appointed delegates to the Council. 


The report, as printed, was adopted and the Gray Book 
was distributed to the delegates. 


THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 
Witherspoon Hall. 


The Rev. Wiliam H. Roberts, D.D., LL.D., Acting Presi- 
dent of the Council, presided. Prayer was offered by Rey. 
W. B. Derrick, D.D, Flushing, N. Y., Bishop of the African 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The Committee on Nominations, through its Chairman, the 
Rev. L. G. Batman, presented a partial report, and upon its 
nomination the following were elected as officers of the Fed- ~ 
eral Council for four years: 

President, The Rev. Eugene R. Hendrix, D.D., LL.D., 
Kansas City, Mo., Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South: 

Secretary for Correspondence, Rev. E. B. Sanford, D.D. 

Recording Secretary, the Rev. Rivington D. Lord, D.D., 
pastor First Free Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York. 

Treasurer, Mr. Alfred R. Kimball, New York. 

Assistant Secretaries for this session: 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 21 


The Rev. Asher Anderson, D.D., Boston, Mass. 
Rey. Martyn Summerbell, D.D., Lakemont, N. Y. 
Rey. Claudius B. Spencer, D.D., Kansas City, Mo. 
Rey. L. H. Reynolds, D.D., Portsmouth, Va. 


ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT 


In presenting the name of Bishop Hendrix, Mr. Batman 
said: 

For President, we have the name of one proposed, who has been in- 
- terested in the Federation movement for some time, who has been very 
active, and who has rendered a great deal of service: The Rev. Bishop 
E. R. Hendrix, D.D., LL.D., of the Methodist Church, South. The 
Committee place his name before you for your action. 

ACTING PRESIDENT ROBERTS: You have heard the nomination 
of the Committee. Is there any other nomination? 

THE REV. JOHN BANCROFT DEVINS, D.D.: I second the nom- 
ination? 

ACTING PRESIDENT ROBERTS: We will now take the vote, and 
we will take it rising. Those in favor of the election of the Rev. E. R. 
Hendrix, D.D., LL.D., Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
as the President of this Council, will rise and stand. (Delegates rise and 
stand.) Is there any opposing vote? There is none. Bishop Hendrix, 
I declare, therefore, to be unanimously elected the President of this first 
Council of the Churches of Christ in America. 


WELCOME TO THE NEW PRESIDENT 


ACTING PRESIDENT ROBERTS: Bishop Hendrix, it gives me great 
_ pleasure to take you by the hand, and as the President-elect of this Council. 
You and I have worked together for years in bringing about the con- 
summation which has been reached in this city of Philadelphia. I 
congratulate you, my brother, that you come to this high place, at an 
hour when the spirit of Christian fellowship is widely disseminated 
throughout our country. The witness of visitors from abroad is clear 
to the fact—the Bishop of London of the Anglican Church among other 
witnesses—that in no other country in the world do Christian brethren 
dwell together in unity so graciously as they do in ours. I congratulate 
you, further, my brother, in that the sphere of your work as the leader 
of this Council is mainly within our own land, and that God has opened 
before the churches of Christ in America a door of marvelous oppor- 
tunity. There was a church in the days of old before which an open 
door was set, and it bore the name of Philadelphia, and we here in 
this city of Philadelphia, set before you as the leader of the Council 
an open door for co-operation in Christian work in this great Republic, 
which should be the beginning of the thorough Christianization of the 
whole land. 


22 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


I congratulate you, too, likewise, my brother, that the churches which 
are here represented, and whose leader you are now to be, are filled 
with the missionary spirit. The field for them is the world. They feel, 
all of them, the power of the declaration of our Lord, ‘*God so loved 
the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever be- 
lieveth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’’ The love 
of the world which is in the heart of Christ is in the heart of the 
churches here represented, and may all that is done by us conserve every 
true interest of man, hastening the coming of the day when not only 
in the United States but throughout the world, Jesus Christ shall be 
enthroned Lord of all. 

Permit me, as I withdraw from the office of Acting President, in which 
I have been privileged by the suffrages of my brethren to say to you 
that I know that you will receive the same hearty support which has 
been my blessing in all the work which I have endeavored to perform, 
and that we are certain to go forward hand to hand and heart to heart 
in the endeavor to build up into fullness of manifestation the unity of 
the churches in Christ Jesus and in the work of the Kingdom of God. 

May God bless your Presidency abundantly to the welfare of the 
churches, and, through the churches, to the welfare of our land and of 
the world. I hand you this gavel as the symbol of your authority. 


REPLY OF PRESIDENT HENDRIX 


PRESIDENT HENDRIX: The X-ray is the ray that counts these 
days, and I bow before the ‘‘Ex-ray.’’? I shall feel stronger in this 
presidency because I have such a counsellor as my genial predecessor. 
Dr. Roberts’s face is a benediction, especially during a great ecclesias- 
tical assembly. A friend of his in New York at that great Carnegie 
Hall meeting, three years ago, said to me: ‘‘Look at Dr. Roberts’s 
face. See him as he comes out from the meetings of the General 
Church Federation Conference into the Business or Executive Commit- 
tee, with that serene expression, as if he had just left the gates of 
Heaven a moment, only to return again; for Dr. Robert’s conception 
of Heaven is when the general assembly of the saints is getting along 
well.’’ So we will have the light of the ‘‘Ex-ray’’ shining on us in 
this work. 

My brethren, this to me is not only a surprise, but it is almost a 
shock. I did not want this place. Two or three times, too partial 
friends suggested it, and I said: ‘‘No, no; take a wiser man than I 
am for work so great as this;’’ and so I have felt to-day. I earnestly 
hoped that we might have here the presence of another man, honored 
and loved throughout the nation, and that it might be your good pleas- 
ure to choose him to this important service, and I ventured so far, 
only two days ago, as to urge his presence, in the belief that if here 
he might be chosen to this place of trust. You have decided other- 
wise, my brethren; and I have only one qualification of which I am 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON. Die 


conscious for this work, and that is the willingness for service for Christ. 
The highest privilege of man is service. The opportunity of serving 
is my joy, and so if there is any: qualification for leadership in this 
responsible position, it is found in what the Master said, ‘‘ Let him that 
would be greatest be the servant of all.’’ 

What has so depressed me in the last half hour or more, when I 
learned that my name was being seriously considered by the Nominating 
Committee was the fact of a vision of the possibilities of this work 
that seemed too large for me in any great measure to lead in the realiza- 
tion of. I have felt that God was most signally registering His own 
presence among men in these wonderful scenes of the last three years. 
I agree with Dr. Fairbairn, that there is no century that connects so 
closely with the first century of the Christian era as this marvelous 
century on which we are entering. You might almost blot out the 
other nineteen centuries if you could only catch the spirit of the first 
century, pervading and permeating the twentieth century. 

Never in the world’s history have there been such doors of opportunity 
as now. I tire, my brethren, of the word ‘‘problem.’’ Far better I 
like the word ‘‘opportunity.’’ The word ‘‘problem’’ oppresses; the 
word ‘‘opportunity’’ inspires. It is the opportunity of this century 
that fills me with hope and at the same time with deepest concern. As 
I see the Spirit of God registering His presence in the world in these 
great American churches in close federation, as He has been doing in 
possibly a less degree in the Free Church Union of Great Britain, I 
wonder whereunto this thing will grow. 

I count it a very suggestive historical parallel that we meet in this 
goodly city of Philadelphia, where the Liberty Bell rang out with the 
inseription upon it, ‘‘Proclaim liberty through all the Jand and to the 
inhabitants thereof,’’? and where our forefathers gathered together to 
form an independent country rather than a nation, as they declared their 
independence of Great Britain. Here, too, was that other great his- 
toric meeting when those severed colonies, becoming states, in this 
great city formed their federal union, which God has so wonderfully 
blessed for more than a century. I count it a very interesting historic 
parallel, my brethren, that in Philadelphia there has been already 
formed, registered and shaped in large measure the Federal Union, 
not of thirteen separate states, feeble in resources and weak in popula- 
tion, but the Federal Union of thirty-three great Christian churches, 
aggregating in number of communicants nearly eighteen millions,—six 
times the original number of souls that were gathered together in our | 
American Union more than a hundred years ago. 


And, my brethren, I think of the unrest that for a while pervaded 
that great constitutional assembly, until Benjamin Franklin arose here 
in this city and said: ‘‘Mr. President, day after day we have been dis- 
cussing these great questions and rarely seeing eye to eye. I move that 
hereafter these exercises be opened with solemn prayer to Almighty God 


24 ‘FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


for His blessing.’? The record does not show the adoption of that 
resolution, as I am informed, nor does it show any prayer that was 
offered from time to time, except by devout individuals, in that great 
assembly, yet notwithstanding all that how marvelously God has blessed 
this Federation of States, now justifying its name of’a Federal Union. 
How He helped us to pass the critical period of our national history, as — 
men saw more and more eye to eye, until now the Nation thus formed 
holds the balance of power of the world. To-day it determines when 
nations shall go to war and make peace, holding in no small degree, 
as no other nation does, the very balance of power itself on this planet. 

Now, what has made it so? It is not any one personality. The 
time for any commanding personality, such as obtained in Asiatic 
countries, has doubtless passed. When men said, ‘‘ Long live the king! ”’ 
it was in the belief that when the king should die the very nation itself 
would almost go to pieces, so had it crystallized around one great 
personality. But we dwell a nation of kings. The very tendeney of 
our Protestant faith as it proclaims liberty is to develop manhood; 
it is not to take away faculty, it is to complete faculty; and so in this 
great nation of kings, self-reliant, manly, devout men, there has been 
formed a federal power that commands the respect of the world. What 
has made it possible? A voice came to this very city from the White 
House during the dark and bloody days of the country, came from the 
heart of one who afterwards became known as our first martyred Presi- 
dent, when he said: ‘‘God bless all the churches and blessed be God 
who in this time of the nation’s greatest peril giveth us the churches.’’ 
That voice was heard in Philadelphia first, as the thanksgiving came 
from the heart of the President for devout men who held up his 
hands amid his great responsibilities. 

My brethren, this great Federal Union of Churches is to be of value 
and significance in our land as it helps to make men, as everywhere it 
bids men stand on their feet, as it preaches the manliness of Christ, 
the ‘‘strong son of God,’’ and thus helps to make this great nation 
mighty in co-operation, having that large catholicity that always belongs 
to culture and to a devout spirit. Thank God, in this assembly to-day 
the nation through its representative churches sees eye to eye. No 
longer any North, no longer any South, but one United Nation, one flag 
over all. Let it be ours to sustain that flag and-to see to it that 
wherever that flag goes our holy religion goes, in every part of the world. 

I had a talk with our President in the White House some months 
ago, inviting him, on behalf of the committee of which I was the chair- 
man, to be present last evening and give an address. He said: ‘‘I 
have followed the proceedings of that Inter-Church Federation work 
with intensest interest. Nothing could forbid my presence except that 
Congress assembles at a time when it will be impossible for me to 
come.’’? The President, receiving a little pamphlet, that gave an ac- 
count of the work done before, an. address that had grown out of its 


REV. WILLIAM HAYES WARD, D.D. REV. JOHN BANCROFT DEVINS. D.D. 


Chairman Program Committee. Chairman Committee on Literature and 
Edueation. 


REV. 0. F. GARDNER. REV. JAMES H. GARRISON, D.D. 


Assistant Secretary of Executive Com- Chairman Committee on Resolutions of 
mittee of Arrangements. Thanks. 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 25 


proceedings, showing the work of the Inter-Church Federation Council 
and its results, as he glanced over its pages, said: ‘‘ Yes, I have read 
that with intensest interest, and it is with the consciousness that here 
are gathered the representatives of Protestant Christianity that will 
make it easier for any President the better to administer the affairs of 
this great Nation.’’ 

My honored predecessor and brother, who in these years as yoke- 
fellows I have léarned both to admire and love, as I take this gavel 
from your hand I beg that a double portion of the spirit of wisdom 
and wide statesmanship that has rested upon our President for the last 
three years may never be lacking in any of his successors. 


INTERDENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 


The report of the Committee on ‘‘The Relation of the Fed- 
eral Council to Interdenominational Organizations’’ (See 
page 155) was then presented by the Rev. Ame Vennema, 
D.D. (Chairman), of Passaic, N. J., former President of the 
General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, in the 
following address, after which the resolutions were adopted 
without discussion. 


The report of the Committee on the Relation of the Council to Inter- 
denominational Organizations, together with other reports, is printed 
and placed in your hands. It is expected of me at this time to pre- 
sent only the resolutions and to offer a word in explanation and recom- 
mendation of them. 

In the report you will find a number of these interdenominational or- 
ganizations named—not by any means an exhaustive list—with a brief 
statement of their aim and purpose and of the work that they have 
accomplished. You will notice that everyone of them stands for some 
special line of Christian effort and has accomplished a great deal of 
good. The different denominations have combined in doing that work, 
and have thus prepared the way for a broader federated activity. These 
interdenominational organizations are pioneers in the field; they have 
broken ground; they have blazed the way, and have helped to make 
possible the work which this Council contemplates doing. 

A day or two ago, a young mother having a little child, a very 
friendly little child, less than two years old and just beginning to 
talk, said: ‘‘I have a new neighbor whose face is familiar. We have 
met upon the street but have never recognized or spoken to each 
other, although there is no unfriendly feeling between us. But,’’ said 
she, ‘‘my little baby, with a profound bow, said to her ‘Hod d’ do,’ 
and then she stopped and spoke and we had a pleasant interview.’’ 
The little child brought them together upon more familiar terms. The 
different evangelical denominations have stood and labored side by side, 
and have recognized each other in a somewhat formal way, but these 
interdenominational organizations are the children of the Church that 


26 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


have been playing together and working together, and they are intro- 
ducing the churches themselves and bringing them into closer relations 
with each other. I believe, sirs, that this Council could not have been 
convened except for the fact that through these interdenominational 
organizations the churches have been working together side by side for 
so long a time, and, therefore, in recognition of that fact the first 
resolution is offered: 

‘‘That it is the sense of this Council that the interdenominational 
organizations of the United States by co-operative work along special 
lines of Christian effort, have done much to prepare the way for that 
broader co-operative work contemplated by this body.’” 

These interdenominational organizations have been successful. When 
they were formed their founders undoubtedly outlined a plan of action, 
to which those who constitute their governing boards have adhered 
strictly so far as its leading features are concerned. But so far as 
the details of that plan of action are concerned they haye been flexible, 
and adaptable to the changed conditions of time and place, and to the 
requirements of the development of the work. These organizations have 
gained experience. They have had to feel their way. They have gained 
wisdom, and now this Council comes into the inheritance of the wisdom 
which they have acquired, and their success gives promise of the suc- 
cess of the broader co-operative work that will be undertaken by this 
body. In recognition of that fact the second resolution is offered: 


‘«That the work so successfully carried on by them demonstrates the 
practicability and wisdom of federated Christian enterprise and gives 
promise of success to the plans that may be adopted by this Council.’’ 

The question is often asked, What is the relation of the Church to 
these interdenominational organizations? Unless that relation is de- 
fined our attitude will not be very clear nor very cordial; we will not 
open the door to them, nor take them to our bosom. So long as we do 
not know just what to make of them, what their rightful place is, we 
will not know how to deal with them. The position taken by the 
paper is that these organizations are an integral part of the Church; 
they are not separate from her. They are not supplementary merely to 
her work, much less are they rivals in the field of Christian activity. 
They are the Church of Christ in America at work, heartily, earnestly 
at work. The Church is the generating power-house, and these different 
organizations area the distributing centres of Christian influence. The 
best blood of the Church has gone into them. The men and women 
who direct these forces receive their inspiration and instruction in the 
Christian Church on the Lord’s Day, and are out on the firing line, doing 
battle seven days in the week, three hundred and sixty-five days of the 
year. Because they are an integral part of the organism of the Chris- 
tian Church these interdenominational organizations deserve the confi- 
dence and sympathy and support of the Church. For thas reason the 
third resolution is presented: 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 27 


“¢That we recognize these various organizations as an integral part 
of the Church, bringing into effect no small share of the work com- 
mitted to her hands, and that we therefore heartily commend them to 
the confidence, sympathy and generous support of the churches.’’ 

But, dear brethren, while I believe it to be the privilege and duty of 
the Council to defend and encourage the interdenominational organiza- 
tions that are rightly so-called, I believe it to be equally the duty of 
the Council to safeguard the Church against organizations that like to 
sail under that flag because it is a good flag to sail under; yet that ought 
never to display that banner, against organizations that are falsely 
called interdenominational. It is so easy, when a society is formed for 
the doing of some form of good that may not be even specifically reli- 
gious, for the representative of that society to come to the pastor of 
the local church and the governing board, and to say: ‘‘ Dear brethren, 
we would like to present our cause in your church and distribute pledge 
cards or envelopes for the support of the work that we represent.’ 
The Church provides the opportunity, the place of meeting, calls the 
people together for worship, and then some person, perhaps representing 
an irresponsible, or possibly a very worthy organization, appeals to the 
people for funds. I believe, therefore, that it is the duty of this 
Council as far as possible to safeguard the churches against so-called 
interdenominational organizations that are not worthy of the name. I 
recognize that it is imposing a delicate and difficult task upon the 
Council to ask it to give its endorsement to one, and to withhold its 
endorsement from another, but it is a necessary duty. Therefore, the 
next resolution is offered: 

‘¢That while we give our endorsement to such organizations as are 
plainly Christian and interdenominational in character and are so re- 
garded generally, these resolutions are not to be construed as com- 
mending every undenominational organization that carries on some form 
of good work, perhaps not even distinctively religious, and that ap- 
peals to the churches for assistance.’’ 


We believe, moreover, that this Council will make unnecessary the 
formation of many more such interdenominational organizations. This 
is a day of organizations. They multiply on every hand. Laymen and 
ministers are confused by the multiplicity and variety of societies that 
aim at the doing of some special line of work for the Kingdom of God. 
Because of the many appeals that are made to the churches a large 
portion of the stream of benevolence that flows from hearts that are 
consecrated to the service of the Master is diverted from its legitimate 
and proper and most helpful course. There are in every community 
many people of means, who have perhaps a spirit of humanitarianism 
and charity, or in whom it may be developed, but the causes which 
the Church of Christ aims to advance suffer. It seems to me that these 
people ought to be appealed to by such organizations as are less dis- 
tinctively and markedly religious. Then would the burden of the sup- 


28 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


port of every good cause be more equally distributed. For that reason ~ 
the next resolution is offered: 

‘‘That it is our conviction that the plan of work which this Council 
will take up will be so comprehensive as to make unnecessary the further 
increase in the number of undenominational or interdenominational or- 
ganizations for special work, and will thus protect the churches from 
many appeals for aid which tend to dissipate the energy of the churches 
and to divert the stream of their benevolence from the regular and rec- 
ognized channels.’’ 

And in order that the Council may pass intelligent judgment, we 
thought it would be a good thing for any organization that desires the 
endorsement of this Council to report annually concerning its receipts 
and expenditures, and also to give a brief outline of the method which 
it employs in the doing of its work. For that reason the last resolution 
is offered: 

‘‘That all organizations asking regular financial assistance from the 
churches, be requested to file an annual statement of receipts and ex- 
penditures with the Executive Committee of the Federal Council, to- 
gether with a brief outline of methods employed.’’ 


CO-OPERATION IN FOREIGN MISSIONS 


The report of the Committee on ‘‘Co-operation in Foreign 
Missions’’ was presented by the Rey. James L. Barton, D.D., 
Boston, Mass. (Chairman), Corresponding Secretary of the 
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 
(See page 166.) 


Dr. Barton said in presenting the resolutions for discussion : 


We take it for granted that the report that has been printed has been 
read by all of you, so there will be need of but little reference to the 
body of the report. The five resolutions are in your hands. 

Now I wish you to understand that the report is not all inclusive. 
It contains a great many facts of federation and co-operation on the 
Foreign Mission field, but it does not contain all of the facts. There 
is no doubt that as you go through the report many things will occur 
to you that have been omitted. Those facts were well-known to the 
committee in the preparation of the report. It is simply a gathering up 
of some of the facts of federation and co-operation in the foreign 
field, and only some, as illustrated. , 

Now the first resolution that you have in your hands,—‘‘ That these 
practical and effective efforts at co-operation abroad have the hearty 
and even enthusiastic support of this Federal Council of the Churches 
of Christ in America,’’—is one that will undoubtedly pass without any 
question. We all accept it. There is no question about that; but the 
question is: Are we ready to carry it into full co-operation? 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 29 


The second resolution recommended refers to the details of co-opera- 
tion: ‘‘That home organizations and churches promote in every possi- 
ble way the development of this movement.’’ This is more difficult. 
We believe in this co-operation and federation in theory; we often find 
it very difficult to carry it out in actual practice, because practice is 
another question. I recall now money that has been given by a denom- 
ination for work in the mission field, for the building of churches, with 
the condition that if ever the church worshipping in that building ceases 
to be a. church of the denomination giving the money, that the church 
and all of its property must revert to the original donor. There is too 
much of an idea that the money which mission boards give for For- 
eign Missionary work is denominational money, and yet I read in what 
seems to be fairly good authority that ‘‘the earth is the Lord’s, and 
the fullness thereof,’’ and that the silver and gold are His. Now how 
in the world did any of the money become Congregational or Presby- 
terian or Methodist or anything of the kind? If we will only eliminate 
from our minds the idea that this money is denominational and look 
upon it as money that is given for the extension of the kingdom, and 
then let it go for the work of the kingdom irrespective of denomination, 
then we will find the carrying out of this second resolution will be very 
much easier. 


Many here in this Council are members of boards, having to do with 
the administration of Foreign Mission work, members either of the 
official body or of some of the committees, and for that reason we find 
it most essential that this second resolution have the largest attention. 
We agree without any question theologically, practically, when we get 
together to pray. Did you ever know of Christians of various denom- 
inations who could not pray together? But when we pray we pray as 
we believe, we pray our religion; but when we come to talk polity we 
draw apart. Now I remember the discussion that went on only a few 
years ago between three denominations in this country in regard to 
union—they are all represented in this Council to-day—and the first 
session of the conference decided upon the doctrinal basis of union. 
The decision was accepted unanimously; the whole body rose to its 
feet, and three times sang the Doxology—attention was called to this 
the other night by Dr. Gladden in Boston—but they appointed a strong 
committee to settle on polity, and year after year they discussed polity, 
until finally they decided not to unite. It is harder to agree on polity 
than it is on belief, but when we come to the practice of things we 
shall find that it is not so hard after all if we forget the fact that 
denomination does not precede Christianity, that the kingdom is greater 
than any part thereof. 


Now we pass to the third resolution, which is somewhat separate 
from the first, and is very essential in order that the Christian churches 
in this country and the Foreign Mission boards shall see that this 
matter of federation is carried out in the large degree. The people 


30 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


over across the sea, if you will read that report, are already coming 
together, and coming together with great rapidity. They are uniting 
churches. You will notice in that report, that in Southern India the 
churches organized by forty-one mission boards have recently come to- 
gether and have organized, not in a Congregational Church, nor a Pres- 
byterian Church, but a great Union Church of Southern India, repre- 
senting 148,000 communicants. The Congregational Church is lost; it 
is swallowed up in the great union movement; and the Presbyterian 
church of Southern India is lost in this great union movement. It is 
lost as the seed is lost in the spring time when it is sown in good soil. 
It is lost as the spring rains are lost when they come to sink into the 
earth and cause the seed to spring forth a hundredfold. They are 
lost in the great Union Church of Southern India, a more mighty and 
powerful organization than could possibly be represented by the various 
denominations. 


Now I wonder how many of us would be willing to face an intelli- 
gent Chinese—and the Chinese are intelligent people, I assure you of 
that—and try to reason with him about the different mission boards and 
the different churches that have been organized in China. It was per- 
fectly proper that in the earlier days our mission boards should organ- 
ize churches after their kind. That was the way the Garden of Hden 
began. But when those churches begin to come together how are you 
going to explain to a Chinaman the difference between the Presbyterian 
Church of U. S. A. and the Presbyterian Church of U. S., so that they 
will be satisfied with your explanation? How are you going to ex- 
plain the different kind of Presbyterians, as, for instance, the North 
and the South and the Reformed and the Cumberland, and all other 
kinds; and the different kinds of Methodist, and the different kinds of 
Episcopalians, and the different kinds of Reformed churches? It is to 
me a very interesting fact that almost all of the denominations in Amer- 
ica have passed through some period of reform causing another de- 
nomination except the Congregationalists. Somehow Congregationalists 
never reform. But how can you make these facts of our American life . 
and American church life understood and appreciated by the intelligent 
people of the Hast? 

Here in one of our New England Colleges there is one of the finest col- 
lections of fossilized bird tracks probably that has ever been got together 
in the world. It seems in prehistoric times some prehistoric birds walked 
over some prehistoric sand and made tracks in the sand, and through 
some change of nature those tracks have become fossilized, and now 
in these latter days they are packed up and exhibited in an exhibition 
in that college laboratory, which is a very fine thing to see. They are 
excellent in a laboratory, but I tell you, brethren, it is out of place 
to put them as tablets in our churches. They belong in the museum, 
but do not belong in the church. 


Now there is no question that the lines that divide these various 


a 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 31 


denominations that make up the thirty-three churches in this Federal 
Council, that those lines are bird tracks in the sand in a prehistoric 
age; they are fossilized controversies for which we can make no ex- 
planation that will satisfy any Eastern mind, and I wonder, I wonder, 
if we can make explanations that really satisfy our own minds. Now 
the point is this: that when those early churches were organized in 
the East, a great beautiful thing about it is that when there were 
splits in our American churches, when the Southern Presbyterians went 
off and the Southern Methodists, and there were those divisions along 
lines that separated the North and the South at that time, that each 
branch went on with its mission work, to the glory of their name. But 
when those churches over there—we will hold onto China as our illus- 
tration—are coming together in their great gatherings, how can the 
man from North China explain why he is Methodist South, and the man 
from South China explain to the satisfaction of the people how he is 
Methodist North? 


It has become absolutely necessary that we allow those people of the 
East, those Asiatics, to eliminate these lines which are purely artificial, 
and which belong, as I have said, to the museum, and stand for Jesus 
Christ, the Church of Christ of China, and the Church of Christ of 
India, the Church of Christ of the world, and not try to perpetuate on 
those people these differences which are not differences at all and which 
we are demonstrating here in this Council do not exist except in history 
and in museum relics. 


Now, that is the reason why I have dwelt on this third resolution, © 
which calls upon us as administrators of the foreign missionary boards 
not to insist, but, on the other hand, to encourage those people over 
there to work off their labels, or mix their labels up if they wish any 
kind of a label at all, or make a new label that will fit them all. But, 
above all things, let us let them stand for the Church of Jesus Christ 
without any other label. And let us not insist that the missionaries 
shall take precious time, because life is too short and the burdens are 
too heavy, to go on and explain to the people of the East these differ- 
ences, which are not differences in fact, when they require all the time 
and all the strength and all the energy they can command to let those 
people know of God the Father, and of Jesus Christ His Son and of the 
salvation that has come to the world for them through the Father and 
the Son. Let us not insist that they shall explain John Calvin and 
John Wesley and John Robinson, and I do not know how many Johns 
and how many Williams, and all that sort of thing, to those people when 
the thing they want to know is the Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and 
Paul, and Jesus Christ of the Gospels, and that is enough for them. 
It matters not if they never heard of John Wesley or of John Knox or 
of any of those great leaders of our churches here. That is a very 
minor matter. Now let us insist on that. 


Now the last two resolutions are simply formal. They are only part 


32 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


of what precedes. We are far ahead on the mission field of the peo- 
ple of America. It is a fact we have seminaries on the mission field 
that are interdenominational. We have seminaries in America where 
students of various denominations are studying, but the seminary is con- 
trolled by one board and generally by one denomination, but on the 
foreign field we have seminaries that are controlled by various denom- 
inations, faculties appointed by various denominations, students sent 
there by various denominations, graduating and going out and work- 
ing for what we call various denominations. You see we cannot talk 
this thing without using the language of division. We have no proper 
language to express it. There ought to be a committee appointed to 
get some proper language that will eliminate these divisions. We 
have working on the field union theological seminaries. Why cannot 
they be multiplied and our colleges multiplied, and all this union work? 
There is no reason why we cannot, if we will, leave the missionaries 
alone and not throw obstacles in their way, and give them encourage- 
ment and let them know we expect them to establish the kingdom of 
God and not a denomination, that they are to preach Jesus Christ and 
not old historie leaders that led to divisions in our churches. All they 
require is encouragement and not opposition. Therefore these resolu- 
tions are presented for your adoption. 


The resolutions presented were slightly modified in a dis- - 
cussion in which Bishop E. E. Hoss, D.D., LL.D., the Rey. 
Levi Gilbert, D.D., Rev. Frank D. Penney, D.D., Rev. Alfred 
W. Anthony, Bishop Earl Cranston, D.D., Rev. Robert Mac- 
kenzie, D.D., the Rev. W. F. Richardson, D.D., Rev. William 
H. Roberts, D.D., the Rev. George B. Winton, D.D., and the 
Chairman of the Committee, took part. 

The discussion centered about the third resolution, which 
favored the closest possible federation of all Christian 
churches in Foreign Mission fields, ‘‘and the elimination so 
far as possible of denominational distinctions, so that all 
who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity may dwell in 
the unity of the Spirit and in the bonds of peace.’’ 

In the discussion Bishop E. E. Hoss, D.D., LL.D., of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Nashville, Tenn., spoke 
as follows: 


I notice my name is signed to these resolutions; therefore, I am 
presumably in favor of them. I am in very hearty sympathy with very 
nearly everything that is in the resolutions, but there are some state- 
ments in here that need to be taken guardedly. I do not believe that 
our denominational lines are simply bird-tracks in geological mud. We 


THE RECORDING SECRETARY AND HIS ASSOCIATES. 


ie 


1 ge bo 


Rey 
Rey 
Rey 
Rey 
Rey. 


. Rivington D. Lord, D.D. 
. Asher Anderson, D.D. 

. Claudius B. Spencer, D.D. 
. L. H. Reynolds, D.D. 

. Martyn Summerbell, D.D. 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 33 


are here as the representatives of denominations. We are here, Mr. 
President, in the distinct recognition of the fact that the separate de- 
nominations have a right to be, and the only churches that are not here 
are the churches that deny that fact and insist that denominationalism 
has no right. Now, of course, there are some limitations to that, prob- 
ably, but as long as any body of Christian men stand for any vital 
aspect of Christian faith that is not elsewhere emphasized, or for any 
important factor of ecclesiastical polity that is not elsewhere mag- 
nified, that denomination has a right to continue its existence. I should 
like to ask, if there is going to be only one body over there, what body 
is it going to be? It must have some name, some designation. Which 
one of the particular churches of America is it going to represent? To 
which one is it going to correspond most closely? 

The third resolution provides for ‘‘the elimination, so far as possi- 
ble, of denominational distinctions, so that al] who love our Lord Jesus 
Christ in sincerity may dwell in the unity of the spirit and in the binds 
of peace.’’ I can love all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity 
without abolishing denominational lines, and I think we have got an 
exhibition here on a magnificent scale that the recognition of these 
denominational lines is altogether consistent with Christian love and 
Christian brotherhood. I do not believe in the utter abolition of de- 
nominationalism even as an ideal for the future. Our Lord never said 
that there should be one fold and one shepherd; He said: ‘‘ There shall 
be one flock and one shepherd;’’ and the unity of the flock is to be 
determined not by the unity of the fold, but by the unity of the shep- 
herd. Even in that day He said, ‘‘I have other sheep that are not of 
this fold.’’? He did not add: ‘‘Them also must I bring, and there 
shall be one fold and one shepherd,’’ but, ‘‘Them also must I lead, 
and there shall be one flock’’—housed in many folds, perhaps, but gath- 
ering its unity from the fact that they are all the sheep of the one 
shepherd, and until you recognize the right of denominationalism to 
exist, of the separate denominations to exist, you have not made a be- 
ginning in Christian unity. Churches that deny that right are the 
churches that claim exclusive standing ground for themselves and de- 
spise others. JI think that proposition should be made good. We have, 
perhaps, too many denominations, but I should like to know who is 
going to cancel them, who has got the right to cancel them? Union is 
good, but liberty is good, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is 
liberty. 


THE REV. LEVI GILBERT, D.D., Editor of the Western Christian 
Advocate, Cincinnati Ohio: 

Mr. President: Bishop Hoss, as an old newspaper man, and myself 
generally ought to be in pretty good accord with each other, and I 
think substantially we are on most lines of thinking. I find myself, 
though, taking a little departure from his utterances just made. I 
do agree with him when he says that since the denominations now exist 


34 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


and are here on the field, their integrity must be respected and their | 
automony, and all provisions made for their co-operation upon that 
basis and acknowledgment, but at the same time I think there lies back 
in the thought of each one of us that if we could commence de noyo we 
would be very glad to eliminate most of the denominations. 

We are inheritors from the past; it is a condition which faces us for 
which we are not responsible, and we are making the best of the situa- 
tion as it is; but if we had a clean slate and could begin from the be- 
ginning, we would try to do things in a little different way than they 
have been done, after the friction and the discussions and the separa- 
tions and the schisms of the past centuries. Now, over across the sea 
they have the opportunity which we covet. They began there from 
the start, and I do not see any particular necessity of burdening them 
with theological distinctions which to us already, even after all of our 
liberality and fraternity, are still something of a burden. Why cannot 
they begin upon the broad basis of the great truths which we are em- 
phasizing in this federation, the simple, great truths of Christianity: of 
love to God, and love to man, of loyalty to Jesus, of obedience to Him, 
of service in His name, of salvation through Him. Why cannot they” 
believe with simply the large conception of the inspiration of the Bible, 
and of the atonement and of the deity of Christ, without going into 
particularities and refinements and over-spun theorizations? Why can- 
not they do that, and then get together on such a broad platform? I 
think they can, and they are proving it over in Japan, where they have 
the Christian Church of Japan. They are proving it in Southern India, 
as has been told us here this afternoon; and I think that even though 
to-day we may have to proceed by establishing our Methodist or Pres- 
byterian or Congregational churches over there, the preaching ought not 
to lay over emphasis upon it. They ought not to be thinking of them- 
selves primarily and first of all as Methodists or Presbyterians or Epis- 
copalians, but primarily as Christians linking themselves all together. 


THE REV. FRANK D. PENNEY, D.D., Pastor, Baptist Church, 
Burlington, Vt.: 

All people who believe in the whole Bible, that they have a mission- 
ary purpose to save the world from sin, ought to be able to stand 
together upon the blessed old Book, for they are animated by one spirit. 
Therefore, the great question is all summed up in this one thing: 
What is to be the method of teaching? What things are going to be 
surrendered? What great Christlike, Christ-given purpose is going to 
be kept to the front in order that all earnest Christians can stand together? 
We are here exemplifying a great new spirit, or rather a spirit that has 
been recognized in a vastly broader way than it has ever before been 
recognized, and for one, as a member of the Council, I believe the great 
and determinative method is to be this, that every Christian of what- 
ever name is going to reckon it to be his chief and his constant purpose, ~ 
giving loyalty and pre-eminence to Jesus Christ in everything, to hold 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 35D 


forth before the awakened world an open Bible, with prayerful teaching, 
and teach them to believe the Bible, to believe what it says, to be- 
lieve everything that it promises, and to leave it where God leaves it, 
to the mind and the heart of the quickened and the awakened intelli- 
gent loving believer, to find his place by the side of his Lord in absolute 
obedience from start to finish. 


THE REV. ALFRED W. ANTHONY, D.D., Professor, Cobb Divinity 
School, Lewiston, Me.: 

Brethren of the Council, there are certain things which we cannot by 
any possibility accomplish. We cannot give to the Chinese our Amer- 
ican history and our ecclesiastical experiences. We cannot implant 
amongst them the background which has occasioned the divisions now 
peculiar to us. We ought to recognize another impossibility. We cannot 
by any grace of God implant the saving truth of the Gospel in any 
breast until we allow that truth to become assimilated within that breast 
through personal experience in an active and natural way by the provi- 
dences and the graces of God imparted to that individual. It is im- 
possible for us to transplant Christianity into China or Japan or any 
other land and dictate by the act of our transplanting the form through 
which it shall become manifest and make itself real. If vital it must 
find expression through the native spirit and temperament and agency, 
or else it becomes but a sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal, a mere 
external form and the hypocrisy of pretence. 


BISHOP EARL CRANSTON, D.D., LL., D., Washington, D. C.: 

Mr. Chairman: It appears to me impossible to discuss the amendment 
upon its merits without some allusion to the general question involved. 
I have two or three suggestions that grew out of some experience in ad- 
ministration upon missionary fields. I want to drop those first lest I 
shall forget them. To begin with, neither this Council nor any other 
body of Christians in the United States of America or any other Chris- 
tian nation, needs to take up with the missionaries on the Foreign Field 
the matter of closer federation in Christian work. We cannot teach 
them anything about it, and they do not need our exhortations in that 
direction. : 

Secondly, so long as missions abroad are to be supported by denom- 
imational treasuries, we run a risk of creating friction between the 
workers in the field and the administrative boards at home in the 
promulgating from this center of Christian federation the sentiment in- 
volved in this third resolution. 

Now, in truth, brothers, we are here as a federation, a Federal Coun- 
cil. One of our fundamental propositions, without the full recognition 
of which this Council could not have been organized, is the recognition 
of our denominational autonomy. So far as each denomination is con- 
cerned, we are on dangerous ground when we attack the very foundation 
upon which we have met to consider these great interests of the Church. 
I am very sure that Bishop Hoss holds as large hopes from this Coun- 


36 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


cil and the project. which it represents as any man on this floor. I 
am just as sure that he is giving a word of warning which it is well 
just now for us to heed. And, touching this amendment, brethren, if 
any of you were present at the great conference at Shanghai last year, 
you may have discovered that the missionaries on the field had already 
taken measures looking to the early organization of the native church, 
and if you knew of the conditions there, it might be that you would 
hesitate to give to the natural aspiration of the native in China and in 
some of these other foreign countries any impetus toward that result. 


We have just been concerned, some of us who are here, in the uniting 
of two of our great churches in Japan. I represent one denomination 
which has recently made an appropriation—the third of the same kind 
and the second since independence was granted—of upwards: of $62,000 
for the support of a church that is no longer of our denomination, an 
independent Methodist Church of Japan. On this floor are other dele- 
gates who represent like appropriations, made not to our own denomina- 
tion, not in the interests of our denomination, but a recognition of our 
obligation to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the kingdom of God in the 
world, not “for denominational aggrandizement in any sense or in any 
degree whatever. 

We are, brothers, a Federal Council; let us not forget it. We are not 
here to legislate. We are not here to take out of the control of the 
general conferences and assemblies of our several churches matters in 
which they should hold the initiative. We are not here to take any 
action that will embarrass proper administration of Foreign Missions. 
We are not here to do any other work, I take it, than that work which 
has been appointed to us by the very conditions upon which we have 
come together, and I suggest that the amendment whieh has just been 
proposed is one that ought not to have the support of this Council. ’ 

I suggest in the next place, and, Mr. Chairman, I would like to move 
as a substitute for the amendment before us, the striking out of these 
words, ‘‘and the elimination, so far as possible, of denominational dis- 
tinctions,’’ for the reasons which I have given. They are eliminated. 
No man who has ever been on the foreign field and conferred with 
missionaries has found any denominational distinctions except those that 
relate to the actual support of the missions from the home churches. 
Their hearts are one; there is no interdenominational warfare. Why 
shall we send out to the world a resolution that indicates that there is 
something yonder in this way that needs to be eured? Let us strike 
out ‘‘and the elimination, so far as possible, of denominational distinc- 
tions,’’ and let it read just in this way: ‘‘That we favor the closest 
possible federation of all Christian churches in foreign mission fields, 
so that all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity may dwell in the 
unity of the Spirit and in the bonds of peace.’’? I did put in there 
‘‘may there and elsewhere dwell,’’ but leave out those words and you 
will improve your resolution. ; 


a 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 37 


THE REV. WILLIAM HENRY ROBERTS, D.D., LL.D., Philadel- 
phia, Pa.: 

Bishop Cranston, if you please, your resolution needs a seconder. It 
appears to me that it would be still better if you would eliminate the 
whole of the closing portion of that resolution. 

BISHOP CRANSTON: I do not see that it strengthens it at all, sir; 
I am willing. 

DR. W. H. ROBERTS: Well, if you are willing, I second the motion. 

BISHOP CRANSTON: Let it so stand. 

PRESIDENT HENDRIX: You withdraw then your original sub- 
stitute and propose this. ) 

DR. ROBERTS: I would say just a word or two. It is well, breth- 
ren, that we should remember while gathered here together as a Council, 
that we stand, first of all, upon the distinctive principle of the Protestant 
Reformation, the right of private judgment. Now we are all there, and 
as Protestants we are to defend the right of one man or one woman, 
being Christian, if they so choose, to form a denomination of their own. 
It is their absolute right. But the day for insistence upon that right, 
in the judgment of many of us, has gone by, and we believe that we 
ought to emphasize less of individual right-and more of the duty of the 
churches, laying upon all who are disciples of the Lord Jesus their ob- 
ligation to work with other Christians. We are not here to emphasize 
denominational distinctions, but to emphasize the duty of co-operation 
in Christ’s work. I have no desire to see that great denomination of 
which I am privileged to be a minister take any attitude at any time 
which would so emphasize the right of private judgment as to injure co- 
operation and federation. It is possible so to emphasize denomination- 
alism as to forget our duty towards other Christians. 

I rejoice therefore, in this resolution in the form in which it has been 
amended by Bishop Cranston, leaving out all reference to denomina- 
tions, all words which involve possible unhappy conditions upon mission 
fields, or might be construed so to mean. I think that the resolution 
will be sufficient if it read: 

«¢3. That we favor the closest possible federation of all Christian 
churches in Foreign Mission fields.’’ 

If the native converts choose to organize their own churches, I know 
that the church of which I am a minister will never put a straw in 
their way, that we do not care what name they may take, what organiza- 
tion they may adopt, if only in their hearts there is the love of Christ, 
and the determination to carry His Gospel to every portion of the na- 
tion of which they are citizens. They have exactly the same rights that 
we have. We have no authority to regard ourselves as lords over God’s 
heritages, as if we were commissioned to dictate to them what form of 
Christian church they were to adopt. They have the right to formulate 
their own creeds, their own church government, and to go forward serv- 
ing Christ according to the dictates of their own consciences. Leave all 


38 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


such things with the future, and with that God who is the God of the 
Church. 

THE REV. ROBERT MACKENZIE, D.D., Rutgers Presbyterian 
Church, New York: 

Mr. President: I have very great regard for the report of the com- 
mittee. I have served too often on committees not to have suffered in 
seeing a well thought out report made a football of in a general de- 
bate, and yet I sympathize very much with the objection to the report. 
I think that on this report, as well as the whole Council, we shall make 
no progress by any reflection on denominations. 

That petrified sand bearing the tracks of birds in the museum, had 
something else in it than the tracks of birds. It had the mark of rain 
drops still there. Some driving November or December storm blew that 
day across the Connecticut River, and the wind was from the northwest, 
and the birds were seeking refuge from the storm, and the slant of the 
rain drops and the direction of the birds’ tracks were all towards a 
bluff for refuge; and these bird tracks on these charts before us are 
the marks of our fathers flying from mighty storms of persecution and 
dread and oppression to the refuge and the liberty that are in Jesus 
Christ. 

I can see the footmarks of the Duke of Alva behind the Reformed 
Church of America on that chart. ‘‘I bear the stigmata of Jesus 
Christ,’’ said one who would like to be present in this Council. Let us 
begin right, brethren, and we will get to the end all the more speedily. 
There is one word and there is one syllable in the nomination of our 
Council which in God’s good time shall be eliminated, but God’s day is . 
a long one, and we must not judge Him: by twenty-four hours in the 
Church at home or in the Church abroad. 

I was tempted to amend the Committee’s Report, using all of its words 
that I possibly could, but the Bishop’s amendment lately offered seems 
to satisfy me. I was going to put it this way— not as a motion, but as 
a word of remark,—‘‘that we favor the closest possible federation of 
all Christians churches in Foreign Mission fields, with the view to the 
final merging as far as possible of denominational distinctions in one 
native church when the natives desire it,’? but I think the Bishop’s 
amendment is shorter and fully as comprehensive as anything that I 
could think. 

I am glad to see the good temper over such a bristling point as we 
are now after, and may God’s Spirit guide us in this matter which God 
Himself is taking care of in the Foreign Field. 


Dr. Barton, the Chairman of the Committee, said in closing 
the debate: 
There has been a misunderstanding unquestionably in regard to the 


resolution. The first speaker from the floor seemed to assume that the 
resolution referred to the churches of America, which of course it does 


MINUTES OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 39 


not. It is simply the propagation of denominationalism on the foreign 
field, and I referred more to the Congregational denomination than to 
any other. J remember how, when the churches tried to come together 
in Japan, that there were members of our denomination who thought 
they saw Presbyterianism looming large in that union, larger than a 
church steeple, and in that last arrangement that we tried to enter into 
for denominational union there were people who saw that union in the 
line of a pope that was larger and more mightier than the Pope of 
Rome. 


Now in this work of Foreign Missions abroad, the only thought, I am 
sure, that the Chairman of this Committee had in the preparation of this 
recommendation was to let the missionaries at the front know that this 
Council is in favor of the very things that have been said this after- 
noon, of allowing them without any fear of let or hindrance on the 
part of the authorities at home, to proceed under the impulse of the 
native Christians in the organization of independent or union churches 
of whatever name they may call them, without insisting that our de- 
nominational label shall be put upon those churches. I recall that when 
this union took place in Southern India our own missionaries wrote back 
_an almost apologetic letter, saying the union was consummated and they 
hoped the American Board would favor it, although we should lose a 
large number of Congregational churches. There is no thought in this, 
I am sure, on the part of any member of this Committee, to bring any 
pressure whatever to bear upon the missionaries or the churches abroad 
to eliminate denominational lines or to re-organize churches that are or- 
ganized on non-denominational lines, but it is to allow those churches to 
know, and our missionaries at the front, that this Council feels that they 
should have the utmost liberty with the assurance that there shall be no 
hindrance thrown in the way of the very things that have been debated 
on this afternoon. Now any wording of this third resolution that would 
produce that result I am sure would meet the approval of this Commit- 
tee. 


Now the elimination of everything after ‘‘mission fields’’ is simply 
a repetition of the first resclution in my judgment. It seems to me that 
the matter of approval that we favor does not mean that we urge, does 
not mean that we insist upon, but that if in the providence of God and 
in the judgment of the native Christians of China and India and the 
world, and of the missionaries who are there co-operating with them, as 
they see this seed which has been sown, the seed of the Gospel of Jesus 
Christ, developing and organizing itself in the churches, if they see that 
it is wise under the leadership of the Holy Spirit to organize churches 
which shall bear no denominational name, that they have the authority 
of this Council to go ahead and do it, with the assurance that it will 
have the approval of the brethren at home. That certainly expresses, I 
think, the judgment of some of the members of this Committee. I should 
feel to eliminate all that fellows ‘‘mission fields’’ would eliminate a 


40 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


considerable part of what it was intended to convey as advisory and 
comprehensive on the part of this Council. And I can tell you, brethren, 
that there are many missionaries in the field who believe that they have 
not a commission to go ahead along these lines. I know some of our 
own missionaries have felt, though I am surprised to know it, and I 
have met missionaries in these various mission fields who felt sure that 
any such movement would meet with opposition from their churches at 
home and from their home organization. Now if this Couneil think that 
they should have less liberty, of course this is only advisory. I should 
hope that some such action would be taken. 

I think the first amendment that was made covers the ground admir- 
ably. I should think that the elimination would leave it short of the 
thought it was intended to convey, the encouragement it was intended 
to convey to this movement on the part of the Committee. 


The resolutions as amended were adopted. (See page 186.) 


The Chairman of the Business Committee presented an 
amendment to section 9 of the Plan of Federation, which, 
after discussion, was recommitted. 


THURSDAY EVENING. 


Simultaneous popular meetings on ‘‘Christian Unity at 
Home and Abroad’’ were held in Witherspoon Hall, Holy 
Trinity Episcopal Church, First Baptist Church and Arch 
Street Methodist Church. Among the speakers were the 
Rev. A. S. Lloyd, D.D., New York, Secretary of the Protest- 
ant Episcopal Church; Mr. Robert E. Speer, New York, 
Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presby-. 
terian Church; the Rey. J. L. Barton, D.D., Boston, Secretary 
of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis- 
sion, and the Rev. Levi Gilbert, D.D., Cincinnati, Editor of 
‘““The Western Christian Advocate.’’ (See pages 343-366.) 


Om wn 


. Gen. Louis Wagner. 

. Mr. John Gribbel. 

. Rey. William H. Roberts, D.D. 
. Rey. J. Henry Haslam, D.D. 

. Rev. Rufus W. Miller, D.D. 


it ee 
‘oe Seo 
¥ 


Rev. W. H. Oxtoby, D.D. 

Rey. C. A. R. Janvier. 

Rt. Rev. Alexander Mackay-Smith, D.D. 
Rey. Edwin H. Delk, D.D. 

Mr. Harry C. Lincoln. 

Rey. L. B. Hater. 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY MORNING. 4] 


FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER FOURTH 
Witherspoon Hall 


_The Rev. Baxter P. Fullerton, D.D., St. Louis, Mo., Mod- 
erator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, 
U.S. A., presided. 

The Rev. Henry A. Buttz, D.D., LL.D., Madison, N. J., 
President of Drew Theological Seminary, read the Scripture. 
Prayer was offered by Rev. R. Dubs, D.D., LL.D., Harrisburg, 
Penna., Bishop of the United Evangelical Church. 

The Minutes of the session of Thursday afternoon were read 
and approved. It was voted that all matters recommitted and 
lost motions be omitted from the Minutes. 


REPORT OF BUSINESS COMMITTEE 


The Business Committee, through the Chairman, the Rev. 
William H. Roberts, D.D., LL.D., submitted the following re- 
port, which was adopted: 


The Business Committee respectfully presents its report to the Council 
upon the following matters: 

1. It is recommended that the following rules be adopted in connec- 
tion with the business of the Council: 

Resolved, That all resolutions dealing with general matters be sub- 
mitted in writing, with the name of the mover attached thereto. 

Resolved, That all references to the Business Committee of resolu- 
tions or papers of a general character be made without debate. 

2. With reference to the Resolution on Christian Unity submitted 
to the Committee for consideration, it is recommended, in view of the 
fact that the Council has no jurisdiction over other matters than those 
involved in co-operative work, that no action be taken thereon. 

3. It is recommended that at the time of the presentation of the 

Report of the Committee on the Church and the Immigrant, opportunity 
"be given to the Rev. Charles Stelzle, to address the Council for fifteen 
minutes. 

Respectfully submitted, 
Wm. H. RoBerts, Chairman. 


NEW MEMBERS ADDED 


The report of the Committee on Credentials was presented 
by the Rev. E. B. Sanford, D.D., as follows: 


42 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


1. Admitting as Corresponding Members the Rt. Rey. J. F. Ramsay, 
and the Rey. J. C. Fernandez of the Union African Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

2. Recommending for membership in the Federal Council.: 

The Presbyterian Church in the United States (Plan of Federation 
adopted at Birmingham, Ala., May, 1907). 

The National Baptist African Convention (Plan adopted 1907). 

The Congregational Methodist Churches in America (Plan adopted 
at Billingsport, N. J., Nov., 1907). 

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod (Plan adopted 
at Chicago, June, 1908). 

By a unanimous vote of the several constituent bodies of 
the Council, and then by a vote of the Council itself, the 
churches reported by the Committee on Credentials were ad- 
mitted into membership, and their delegates seated. 

On motion of the Chairman of the Committee it was voted 
that when the Union African Methodist Episcopal Church 
shall have approved the Plan of Federation it shall apply 
again for membership; and in the meantime its delegates shall 
be received as corresponding members. 

President Hendrix announced the appointment of the fol- 
lowing Committee on Correspondence: 


Frank Mason North, Chairman, Isaac Lane, 

W. H. Black, George M. Pepper, 
S. H. Wainright, George U. Wenner, 
George Reynolds, J. H. Garrison, 

A. J. McKelway, Shailer Matthews. 


REPORT ON STATE FEDERATIONS 


In the absence of Rev. O. P. Gifford, D.D., Chairman of the 
Committee on State Federations, the Council voted that the 
report be presented by the Rev. Edward Talmadge Root, who 
had prepared the paper for the committee. (See page 187.) 

Owing to the unavoidable absence of the chairman, the 
Committee asked Prof. Alfred Williams Anthony, of the Cobb 
Divinity School, Lewiston, Me., to prepare and present the 
resolutions. (See page 203.) 

In presenting the resolutions Dr. Anthony said: 

First, there are four declarations of sentiment, not recommendations 


for action, but rather declarations of sentiment, gathered from a some- 
what long and varied experience. The first you will observe, recognizes 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY MORNING. 43 


that already in concrete tangible form the principle of State Federa- 
tion has had the justification of years. One word with reference to the 
date: you may notice that the experience referred to, reaching back to 
the beginning of the oldest State Federation, namely the Interdenomina- 
tional Commission of Maine, is given as 1890; some of you, reading 
the list of State Federations on page 70 of the printed pamphlet, will 
observe that the date there given is 1891. Both are correct. To use 
the language of the plains, the calf was born in 1890, while the 
‘¢maverick’’ was rounded up and branded in 1891. The actual begin- 
ning, dating from the time of the first assembly for consultation, was 
in 1890. May I call your attention to the most important statement in the 
first declaration, the recognition of the individuality and the parity of 
denominations? The recognition of the parity of denominations has 
been amicably demonstrated by the experience of State Federations in 
the years past. None of us are undertaking to proselyte from one 
denomination into another, and none of us are undertaking to say that 
we, aS a denomination, possess the sum total of truth, but others with 
us are needed to make that indivisible church, that united body, that 
fellowship in Christ, which is the Church militant and which shall con- 
stitute the church triumphant. 


The second principle has as its very germ this idea, that the State 
Federation is the body nearest to the actual operation and co-opera- 
tion of local churches. I am not sure that this becomes apparent to 
any save those who have worked in State Federations. The State Fed- 
eration is neither too large to lose sight of local conditions nor too 
small, as perchance a town or city Federaion may be, to fail of the 
best leadership and highest ideals. 

Under the third declaration I would ask you to make a slight amend- 
ment. We do not approve of the formation of so called union churches, 
independent of denominational associations, although we recognize their 
utility in many places, and would not wish them disturbed wherever they 
are useful, but the denomination, and not the church, should be the unit 
of independence and of federation. 


Those who have worked in State Federations know that a church, 
which in a given locality isolates itself from associational fellowship 
by becoming a ‘‘Union church,’’ cuts itself off from all those benefits 
which are larger than the facilities of a local church; and we do not 
propose to limit fellowship or to recognize as advisable the formation 
of any church which shall thus belittle itself without a world-wide 
vision of missions and benévolences and a safe-guarded and protected 
ministry. 

The fourth declaration is designed to be an expression of sentiment 
for the guidance, and in some instances the safeguarding of independent 
spirits who, under the inspiration and the enthusiasm of the movement 
for union now crossing our country, may count themselves as good in 
one field as in another. We wish by our declaration to defend the exist- 


44 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


ence of the denomination, but the denomination without that taint of 
sectarianism, which forbids united action. 

The first recommendation proposes that the highest ecclesiastical 
bodies shall in their deliberative sessions approve the entrance of their 
elemental parts in different States into the State Federations as they 
now exist and may be formed. Such sanction and approval from the 
highest ecclesiastical bodies of each religious denomination is desirable 
for the authorization and the dignity of the local federation. 

The second recommendation proposes that the highest ecclesiastical 
courts shall direct their representative agents in States where no federa- 
tion exists, to observe these principles of Christian comity and co- 
operation which characterize the federative movement. The spirit 
should prevail even where the letter and form are not found. 


The third recommendation is that the active missionaries, the official 
leaders and church agents in the several States, or the leading spirits 
in the States, representing the different denominations, shall be urged 
to consider the wisdom of forming within their respective States a 
federation for a united survey of the whole field and a readjustment of 
forces so as to avoid friction. It is far better for the idea of federa- 
tion to spring up within a State than to be transplanted from without. 
If it springs from within, it will be a native and indigenous growth, 
while if it is brought in from without by any propaganda, however elo- 
quent, it is more or less of an exiotic and can never become strong until 
it is assimilated to the local conditions. This recommendation aims at 
local, sympathetic action. 

The fourth recommendation relates to detail. These detailed char- 
acteristics are not mere ideals. They have had the vindication of prac- 
tice. Every one of them has already been wrought into the fibre and 
form of federations in existence, and most of them have been under test 
and trial for seventeen years. Under these specifications, however, I 
would offer some slight alteration in the phrasing, as printed in your 
hands. Under the letter (C)- the item should read as follows: That 
the functions of the federation be plainly stated and described as an 
advisory council without ecclesiastical authority, so that each State or- 
ganization of a denomination may clearly understand the federal com- 
pact and know that by sending delegates to the Federation it is sur- 
rendering no responsibilities inherently its own. This language does not 
alter the sense, but more clearly defines it. 

The specification (D) should read as follows: That the federation 
be regarded as a common meeting ground for the denominations, not a 
new organization, but a new point of view, not a federation, so much as 
the Churches federated. This last phrase is an expression adopted from 
the language of the brethren in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 
They prefer to speak of their organizations, not as federation so much 
as the churches federated, that is, a State Federation is not a new 
organization with new machinery, cumbersome and expensive, but con- 


re 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY MORNING. 45 


sists of the churches federated; it is not a substitute for the denomina- 
tions severally or collectively, but an incentive to the denominations, an 
inspiration, a clearing house for and council of mutual concession and 
consideration, an adjunct, not a substitute. This paragraph in the 
resolutions will further read: It is not to divert energy or consume 
energy, but to direct the energies of the denominations into more use- 
ful channels. 


Then add, please, this sentence: It is to make churches and Chris- 
tians more efficient in their own distinctive work and enable them to 
see that the whole commonwealth is so ministered to and cared for 
that some church, or group of churches, will be responsible for every 
square mile. 


There is wisdom, brethren, in the sentiment that lies back of this 
specification. May I not give a concrete illustration? The Interde- 
nominational Commission of Maine, the oldest State federation in the 
United States, has held no meeting for nearly two years. This is not 
because it is moribund or in any danger of becoming defunct, but be- 
cause it is magnifying itself and its ideals by its own self-effacement ; 
and there is no nobler mission for a State Federation than to make its 
principles apparent and itself unknown. The Interdenominational Com- 
mission of Maine has a more vital hold upon the Churches of Maine to- 
day because it is not much in evidence and has no machinery, but the 
simplest, and no propaganda, but that of brotherhood, and has no 
desire to make itself heard. It has no aims to become an organization 
itself, but as a missionary and sympathetic helper it aids the organiza- 
tions already at work. I have the honor to be the Secretary and 
Treasurer of the Interdenominational Commission of Maine and within 
recent years the Commission has levied for its support as follows: 
nothing the last year; five dollars the year previous, and ten dollars the 
year before that; and this too, although the denominations have 
guaranteed to render to the Commission the funds needful for its work. 
But the Commission while levying so little, has money in its treasury. 
The secret of it all is that the Commission has imparted its ideals to 
the denominations and they are the organizations which are busily at 
work. 


I wish, then, since my time has expired, simply to read a substitute 
for the last specification, although I would be glad to tell you further 
respecting the modus operandi of a Commission which is seeking by self- 
effacement to promote its own work. The substitute for the item (E), 
as printed, reads: ‘‘That the federation be deemed the proper center 
for co-operation in doing whatever may be wise for the churches to do 
together, either in civil, moral, philanthropic or religious lines, and by » 
its existence and its use for this purpose the further multiplication of 
organizations may become unnecessary and their combination and con- 
solidation at some time be rendered possible.’’ 


46 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


The Chairman: 

You have heard the resolutions; what is your pleasure? 

BISHOP E. E. HOSS, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
Nashville, Tenn.: I really think, brethren, that these resolutions as 
printed are so entirely admirable in character that I could not have 


made them better even if I had had the task myself. I should like ~ 


to vote for them just as they are, without any modification or altera- 
tion, but lest I should seem contentious, I am entirely willing that the 
suggestion of the amendments by the Committee should be accepted. I 
found it necessary, conscientiously, to oppose some resolutions intro- 
duced before the body yesterday. 


THE REV. E. TALMADGE ROOT, Secretary Massachusetts and 
Rhode Island Federation: Mr. Chairman and Brethren of the Council: 

I wish to say some things to emphasize some of the important points 
in“the report and resolutions. Since this report was printed there has 
been progress in several of the States. Wisconsin has held the largest 
and most enthusiastic meeting ever held there. Massachusetts was 
asked only $1,000 a year, and has promised to raise $3,000. Dr. Gif- 
ford said no topic was so prominent as the Federation of Churches. In 
Rhode Island the debt of $500 has been closed out. One of the brethren 
said that it has been worth while to work and toil for such a meeting 
as we had the other day. 

I wish to emphasize a certain point—that is, the definition of a State 
Federation. It is not, as Prof. Anthony said, it is not an outside or- 
ganization, not an interdenominational organization, but it is simply 
the churches federated. It is the biggest thing in the commonwealth 
ecclesiastically, and yet it is nothing in itself, it is simply a means of 
summing up the ecclesiastical machinery of the State and bringing it 
into coordination. The federation of churches is not to be efficient, it 
is to be a co-efficient, enabling the churches themselves to do their 
work more effectively; the significant thing is not any particular line 
of work which it takes up. All of the lines of work which have been 
developed might be dropped and yet the federation would continue— 
the officially appointed body representing the denominations which will 
gain in significance and importance until its meetings shall be recog- 
nized as the important thing. 

There has been developed by our State Federations a comprehensive 
policy of definite work in removing friction and over-lapping as the last 
page of the report shows—a program as definite and comprehensive as 
any political and religious movement ever planned. The basis is the 


co-operative policy plan which is the basis on the one side of the work 


of the Church itself, of personal house-to-house evangelization; secondly, 
it is the fundamental basis for all moral reform. The churches must 
know and have on record the position of every voter on moral ques- 
tions and it will then be prepared to act promptly on any moral question 
that comes up. It is possible for this co-operative parish plan to be 


——— 


—eeEEss' "— - 


i, 


0 ee ea eee a ee ee ee 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY MORNING. AT 


adopted by every type of community from the smallest to the largest, 
and we can assert this ideal by instant co-operation, making some 
church responsible for each square mile of the commonwealth. When 
the churches grasp the significance of that point they may eliminate 
denominationalism and local church differences. When that idea takes 
hold of our churches it will overcome the dry rot of institutionalism 
which is the real thing we have to fight, not denominationalism. It will 
overcome and make it distinct as the fingers, yet whole as the hand, in 
laying hold of life and winning whole communities of the commonwealth 
for Christ. 

THE REV. A. B. LEONARD, D.D., Corresponding Secretary of 
Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church: 

Mr. Chairman, it oceurs to me that we are in danger of not appre- 
ciating fully this matter of State Federation. This Council spreads over 
a large territory, the United States of America, and it covers too much 
territory to undertake to deal with religious questions and moral ques- 
tions which will arise in different parts of the country. If we are to 
make this organization effective in localities the State Federation is an 
absolute necessity. I fear that we are in danger of overlooking the 
fact that it is a necessity. Unless we have State Federation this 
general Federation will amount to comparatively little. Great moral 
questions are coming up and coming up rapidly. The one that most 
attraets public attention now is the war against the traffic in strong drink 
and there are some things being done that a good many people cannot 
approve of, in the manner in which campaigns are being managed. 

Church federations can take up questions of this kind and marshal the 
forces of the Church against the traffic in strong drink, as nothing else 
in this land, and nothing is more needed just now. If this Church Fed- 


eration shall bring its influence to bear on this great question the time 


is not far distant, that not only one-half of the territory of the United 
States shall be under Prohibition, but when all the territory of the 
United States will be under Prohibition. We want more and more to 
come to understand distinctly that if the churches—I will limit it, if 
you please, to the Protestant Churches represented in this Council—if 
the Protestant churches in this country will take up this question 
they have sufficient power inside of half a decade to wipe the liquor 
traffic from this fair land. 

THE CHAIRMAN: Are you ready to vote on the resolutions offered 
by this Committee? 


The resolutions were carried by unanimous vote. (See page 
208.) 
ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT 
The report of the Committee on Organization and Develop- 


ment (see page 206), was presented by its Chairman, Bishop 
E. R. Hendrix, D.D., LL.D., who spoke as follows: 


48 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


BISHOP HENDRIX: Mr. President and brethren: The purpose 
of the Organization and Development Committee has been served by 
keeping steadfastly in mind the whole object of this movement as de- 
clared in the Constitution, to express the fellowship and catholic unity 
of the Christian Church. This whole movement stands for an effort to 
bring the Christian bodies of America into united service for Christ 
and the world; to encourage devotional fellowship meetings in different 
States and mutual counsel concerning spiritual life and activity in the 
churches; to secure a larger combined influence of the Church of Christ 
in all matters affecting the moral social condition of the people, so as 
to promote the application of the law of Christ in every relation of 
human life; to assist in the organization of local branches of the Fed- 
eral Council to promote its aims in their communities. ~ 

To carry out this five-fold purpose it is our thought to achieve the 
following things: 

““J. The increased efficiency of the central office in its executive, edu- 
cational and inspirational work. 

“2. The strengthening of State and Local Federations already in 
existence. 

“¢3. The organization and development of federations in all the 
States, and through their agency, the multiplication of town and city 
federations. : 

“4. Bringing the need, possibilities and reports of united service to 
the attention of the ecclesiastical Conferences, Assemblies and Synods 
of the constituent bodies in the fellowship of the Federal Council, and 
securing the systematic presentation of the cause of Church Federation 
through ministerial associations and brotherhoods, as well as the pulpit 
and press. 

“¢5. These field activities in which the entire secretarial force and 
the members of the Executive Committee should have some part, will 
make it possible to reach every section of the country and effectively 
set in motion plans of service approved by the Council and its Execu- 
tive Committee, and give the aid required in careful and adequate 
preparation for the quadrennial meetings of the Federal Council and, 
during the intervening years, for the annual meetings of the Executive 
Committee.’ 

Believing that the plan of organization we have briefly outlined will 
provide for the efficient advancement of the objects for which this coun- 
cil has been founded your committee recommends: 


‘J. That the Federal Council approve the formation and develop- 
ment of plans that will secure effective office and field service in ad- 
vancing work, the object of which is stated in the Constitution of the 
Council. 

‘(9 That in addition to the equipment of the central office in the 
city of New York, the Executive Committee be authorized as rapidly 
as funds will permit, to provide for a district superintendence that will 


"MOL JUOIF OY} UL SOTIVJOIDNG put JUOpIsoIg SuToy “WoepIselg oy, 


"TIVH NOOdSYAHLIM NI NOISSHS NI TIONNOO TVUAGMH WHs 


ee 


if 


——— a Creel 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY MORNING. 49 


establish at least four offices in strategie ce livia of uapetaeon repre- 
senting different sections of the country.’ 

I observe, my brethren, that a large plan appeals to large men. 
Small plans will not arrest their attention. Our laymen are asking the 
extent of our plans: ‘‘What do you hope to accomplish by this move- 
ment?’’ One gentleman said: ‘‘A thousand dollars is not a matter of 
moment to me, I want to see the plan effective.’”? We want to see at 
least three other secretaries in the field, one for the great Northwest, in 
Chicago; one in Denver, one in Atlanta, designing to meet the condi- 
tions that obtain in all the Central, Western and Gulf States. These 
three offices or centers of operation together with the central office in 
New York City, will cover the country. Already requests are coming 
in. One has been referred to the Committee asking that a center be 
established in Colorado Springs, as perhaps more advantageous than in 
Denver. 

These are matters to be determined after the fullest canvassing by the 
Executive Committee, as they have means to carry them out. They do 
not propose to involve the Federal Council in debt. I think there are 
on the roster of the Financial Committee four thousand names of men 
of means. It is anticipated that when broad plans are brought to the 
attention of the nation there will be hearty and liberal and strong re- 
sponses. J may say in consultation with one of the leading legal minds 
of this body that it is under consideration to incorporate this Federal 
Council so it can receive bequests. We are not organizing for a day 
but for all time. This Federal union, how long shall it last? I know a 
monument costing more than a million dollars, a great institution of 
several millions of assets, where the noble founder gave the first mil- 
lion in expression of a sentiment to bring together the dissevered sec- 
tions of our country, and the words are so inscribed. While for educa- 
tional purpose, there was a noble, patriotic sentiment back of it. Here 
is the largest thing in this country, a Federal Council of the Protestant 
Churches. I doubt not we will have, not only gifts during the lives 
of these noble men, but legacies which will be of value to the Federal 
Council. Therefore, it gives me pleasure to give you the resolutions 
to show you are not too much bound by machinery. We do not pro- 
pose to dictate to the State Federations but to co-operate with them. 
It gives me pleasure, therefore, to present these recommendations on 
behalf of the Committee. 


THE CHAIRMAN: A motion has been made and seconded, that 
these resolutions be adopted. We have now a few moments for dis- 
cussion. 

PROF. ALFRED WILLIAMS ANTHONY: TI raise a query—I have 
had the experience as a representative of other people in a federative 
movement of going too fast and finding myself without a following. 
It is a most unfortunate position for any man or group of men. I 
am wondering now, with the prospect of an increased body, whether we 


50 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


are not in danger of going faster than the people behind us will stand, 
and be in danger also of putting somewhere into the field competing 
agencies undertaking to raise for our treasury here, funds that might 
find their way into the churches at home and abroad. 

If we were to duplicate agencies already in existence or increase 
agencies which are not absolutely necessary for the work of the churches 
which we represent, we would be doing a most unfortunate thing. I 
have no resolution to make but I could not be justified in keeping my - 
seat without raising this word of caution. It seems to me that the reso- 
lution calling for the formation of four centres of our Council, while as 
yet we have not one fully established or conscious of its exact func- 
tions, I fear we would be moving so rapidly as to subject us all, when 
returning to our constituencies, to an adverse criticism. I want these 
things done which will not need to be undone, but be thoroughly promo- 
tive of the work now in the hands of the Committee. 


E. B. SANFORD, D.D., Corresponding Seeretary: If Dr. Anthony 
could have been in the office of the Executive Committee of the Federa- 
tion for the last three years, or for the last six years, if he could have 
taken part in the counsels of the splendid men of this organization, I 
am sure that he would not have made his suggestions. , 

Brethren, I cannot stop to tell you; I do not think it is necessary, that 
the country is waiting for the action which we are about to take. I 
hold in my hand, for instance, the constitution which has been adopted ~ 
by the fellowship of the churches in Nebraska. They are saying: ‘‘Come 
over and help us.’? There have been a half-dozen calls in the last few 
weeks. I believe that the Lord has been raising up men whose names 
can be presented to our Executive Committee, who will worthily repre- 
sent all of the churches here-—men who haye been providentially raised 
up. Voluntary service has been given in large measure, but it does not 
supply the demand of the hour, with its educational and inspirational 
need. 

I confess that while I have a heart full of joy to-day, I should go 
home much depressed if I did not feel that in this Council there was an 
assurance of help which will come from you and which you will place 
into the hands of the men who have charge of looking after the details 
of the work being developed. I am sure that every one in this house 
would agree with me if I had the opportunity of laying before you the 
information which has been put into the hands of the Committee on 
Organization and Development, which led them to bring in this report. 


BISHOP HENDRIX: This plan is not for immediate execution, it 
is as the funds are made available. You will have a wise Committee, 
one or more members from every one of the constituent bodies will 
compose your Executive Committee and they will know when the funds 
are available and when it is wise to elect another secretary. We will 
start these centres only as the demand requires. This matter seemed at 
first to be on a scale too large, therefore, our treasurer was authorized 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY MORNING. 51 


to communicate with all the cities of this country having a population 
of ten thousand and over, and he has secured from representative min- 
isters and laymen thereof names of men who could be approached on the 
subject of personal gifts. The result has been so favorable that when 
it was placed before the Committee they had no hesitancy in taking the 
action we recommend, and with the precaution recommended in our 
resolution. Therefore, I think we are perfectly safe with this condition 
held constantly in mind. 

THE REV. R. H. POTTER, D.D., of Hartford: I should like to 
ask the Chairman, who presented the resolutions, as to what work is 
to be done in the centres. We have their geographical suggestions, but 
I am not quite clear what their service would be. Will they be for 
advice of the state or propaganda? 

BISHOP HENDRIX: It looks to the development of state or- 
ganizations and working through local organizations. Part of the duty 
of this great office located in Chicago is to work with the six or eight 
or ten States in that neighborhood. The secretary there does what it 
is impossible for the secretary in New York to do, for he, too, has a 
group of States. Let him develop this federative work among the 
States, and his services will be in demand by the State and Local 
Federations so his time will be occupied in developing this noble work 
everywhere. We do not want to make it like a fragrance that disap- 
pears in the air. We want to make it vital, effective, growing all over 
the Nation, so in order to do this work more effectively it is contem- 
plated ultimately, not immediately, perhaps, to establish not less than 
four centres from which to work out and operate aright the whole 
plan. 

BISHOP ETHELBERT TALBOT, South Bethlehem, Pa.: That this 
tather large scheme, which recommends itself to my mind as wise, 
should divert from the denominations and churches, does not appeal to 
me. I cannot imagine any better use, any more missionary use, than in 
carrying out just the plan which the Committee has proposed. It seems 
to me a most phenomenal achievement that has enabled us to get to- 
gether in such large numbers and it is most important that what we 
are doing should be made effective. I do not see how we are to be 
effective in this large republic unless we establish some central power 
with which to make our work effective. 

MR. ALFRED R. KIMBALL, Treasurer of the Council: I have 
drawn up for my own report some extracts of the various committees. 
The questions which have been asked make it wise that I should present 
it right here: ; 


ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT. 


““J. That the Federal Council approve the formation and develop- 
ment of plans that will secure effective office and field services in ad- 
vancing work, the object of which is stated in the Constitution of the 
Council. 


52 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


‘¢2. That in addition to the equipment of the central office in the city 
of New York, the Executive Committee be authorized as rapidly as funds 
will permit, to provide for a district superintendence that will establish 
at least four offices in strategie centers of population representing dif- 
ferent sections of the country.’’ 


THE CHURCH AND THE IMMIGRANT. 


‘‘The first duty in attempting a federated effort is to get at the 
facts concerning the races to be dealt with, the peculiar points of con- 
tact for evangelical truth in each case, and the best methods by which 
work may be begun. 

‘The second step is to study the economy of this service, to see which 
churches by virtue of their equipment and location can begin inde- 
pendent work, and what union missionary movements should be entered 
into by the federated churches of the city. 

‘The federated churches can map out the work, see to it that there is 
neither oversight nor waste, and aid each church to undertake such 
work as it can under its own roof and by its own agencies. It would 
be possible under federation to have a new impression of the unity and 
strength of evangelical churches concretely presented, while individual 
initiative and denominational efficiency would still be preserved. 

‘“Your committee therefore heartily urges the possibility, necessity 
and untility of federated service on the part of the churches, within 
the limits prescribed above, to the immigrants.’’ 


INTERDENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. 


‘«That it is our conviction that the plan of work which this Council 
will take up will be so comprehensive as to make unnecessary the further 
increase in the number of undenominational or interdenominational or- 
ganizations for special work, and will thus protect the churches from 
many appeals for aid which tend to dissipate the energy of the churches 
and to divert the stream of their benevolence from the regular and rec- 
ognized channels.’’ 


STATE FEDERATION. 


The usefulness of the field secretary in reflecting back to the churches, 
in sermons and addresses, the impressions made upon one given the 
unique opportunity of studying the religious needs of the commonwealth 
from the standpoint of all the churches combined, should also be noted. 
In all these ways, the State Federation may, and already does, make 
the practical unity of the Churches of Christ in its Commonwealth a 
tangible reality. 


LOCAL ORGANIZATION. 


This Federal Council, in order to secure the end for which it is 
pledged in its Constitution, should give not only encouragement in 
voicing the need of united effort, but plan for the support of work that 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY MORNING. 53 


will give aid in stimulating and helping the development and organiza- 
tion of local federation in every part of our country.’’ 


HOME MISSIONS 


‘Here are imperative reasons that come easily to mind why imme- 
diate and earned co-operation in Home Mission work is necessary: 

‘Present methods are inadequate to cope with the situation and 
avoid waste through the duplication of equipment. 

“«Undue denominational zeal in efforts to secure results without regard 
to general conditions and need, causes irritation, suspicion and estrange- 
ment between followers of the same Master. 

““Divisions and unholy rivalries give unbelieving multitudes occa- 
sions to scoff at Christianity as thus misrepresented. 

‘<The growing spirit of comity in the ranks of the laity demands that 
ecclesiastical strife shall cease, and co-operative evangelism be pushed. 
The laymen have observed that when our combined forces get into ac- 
tion, the saloon begins to move, the cause of Foreign Missions assumes 
new importance and even the politicians take notice.’’ 

We have before us the resolutions on the report of the Committee 
on Organization and Development. Here is something of the Church 
and the Immigrant. The first duty in attempting to get at the facts 
concerning the races to be dealt with and the best methods by which 
work may be begun. I wish to say the vital point of this scheme is © 
that the central office shall be financed and when financed the district 
secretary shall be entirely free to work on the inspirational and practical 
work. ; 

BISHOP EARL CRANSTON, of the Methodist Episcopal Church: 
The thought has occurred to me that it might be wise to suggest the 
incorporation of the Federal Council and would ask the chairman to tell 
us why that recommendation should not be made now at when these 
resolutions are adopted? 

BISHOP HENDRIX: I would ask that able legal counsel be con- 
sulted in different States in order to know under what State laws and 
constitutions this incorporation had best take place. The question 
came to my mind until I learned from one of the able lawyers in your 
body that there would be no difficulty about incorporating the Council 
in New York City. I think that that resolution had better come in as 
a separate resolution, which can be done, instructing the Committee to 
take steps for incorporation. I do not want any conflict for lack of 
information. One of the delightful memories of the meeting in New 
York is that our platform was adopted with only one dissenting vote. 
I am sure that this will be adopted with equal unanimity. There will 
come in another report on by-laws and another report on rules of order, 
but this is the one under consideration now, and perhaps that will be 
sufficient for our present purpose. 

DR. A. B. LEONARD: I believe that nothing more important will 
come before this body. We are a great army. If we are to move we 


54 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


must have some sort of leadership and the provision for the seere- 
taries, men doubtless of large ability and outlook, will be selected for 
the places, will contribute very largely to consolidation of our forces, 
and the leading forward of our movement. Our President said we are 
planning for the future. We have been singing over and over again, 
‘¢VLike a Mighty Army Moves tne Church of God.’? If ‘we are to move 
as an army against the evils of our land, and the heathenism of others, 
we must not only sing and mark time but march, and we must have 
leaders, and these men will serve as leaders, and it seems to me their 
places will be indispensable. 

THE CHAIRMAN: The time has come for the adoption of the reso- 
lution. 


The resolutions were carried unanimously. (See page 213.) 
MAINTENANCE OF THE COUNCIL 


The report of the Committee on Maintenance was presented 
by its Chairman, Mr. Alfred R. Kimball, of New York. (See 
page 214.) 

Mr. Kimball, in presenting the resolutions, said: 


The resolutions offered by the Committee on Maintenance are ex- 
ceedingly simple, the amplification of them and how you receive them 
are the most important things. The work of State and Local Federa- 
tions has been presented clearly. The first resolution is: 

“‘That the Council take action to apportion among the constituent 
bodies and undertake to raise, their proportions to the amount of 
$30,000.’? , 

The important part of this work is the question of denominational 
support of all who are interested in the subject. We feel that we want 
first to know what the denominations are willing to do in the support 
of this work, and for this reason, we have in the last resolution in these 
words: 3 

““To appeal to individuals in the denominations which are stronger 
financially, to increase their proportion, to assist those who may find it 
difficult to meet their apportionment. In that connection we propose the 
following resolution : 

“‘That the apportionment be made on the basis of the number of 
delegates allowed to each denomination, at the rate of, say, $50 per 
delegate.’ 

The first thing for us to know is to what extent denominations will 
back up their delegates. If they give us in writing just what they can 
do it will be the most important stimulus to our work. We feel that is 
the preliminary in any movement for practical maintenance in this work. 
We have 450 delegates and on that basis, at the rate of, say, $50 apiece, 
we should have $22,500. At the afternoon session I shall offer some 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY MORNING. 5d 


resolutions in regard to the business of the conference that should es- 
tablish our fiscal year and arrange for taking over the accounts of the 
National Federation of Churches, of which we are the successors, but 
we should decide this morning the proper apportionment and get from 
each delegate what each can do. We know some are willing and want to 
give their proportion and more. We want to get it down in black and 
white so that we can know where we stand. 

BISHOP WILSON: I wish to know if the amount is the basis of 
caleulation for each year? 

MR. KIMBALL: Yes; $30,000 a year. 

THE CHAIRMAN: A motion has been made and seconded that the 
resolution be adopted. We now have a few moments for discussion. 
The Committee agrees to the insertion of the word ‘‘annual’’ to follow 
$30,000. Are you ready to vote? 


After a brief discusssion the resolutions appended were 
unanimously adopted. (See page 215.) 
The following resolution was also adopted: 


Resolved, That the question of denominational subscription to the 
expenses of the Executive Committee be referred to the separate dele- 
gates of each constituent body with the request that they report in 
writing by Monday morning, to Rey. O. F. Gardner, Assistant Secre- 
tary, Room 420. 


On motion the question of the incorporation of the Council 
was referred to the Business Committee. 

General Louis Wagner, the Treasurer of the Philadelphia 
Committee of Arrangements, was introduced by Dr. W. H. 
Roberts and made the following remarks: 


Mr. Chairman and brethren: 

Had I known that this visit of mine to the meeting this morning 
would have resulted in this way, I would have stayed away. I feel 
proud of my connection with the Grand Army of the Republic. One of 
the proudest recollections of my life is that I belong to it. I am not 
here to ask you for any money. I am here because I am a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, and I feel proud of that also. If I were not 
“a member of the Presbyterian Church, I should have, undoubtedly, been 
a member of some other church represented here this morning. 

There is nothing like co-operation and organization. Co-operation 
first and organization afterwards. You know, in connection with the 
various organizations outside of the Church that have become success- 
ful, that they work harmoniously and intelligently for the accomplish- 
ment of the same purpose. They press forward the same principles. 
The principles of our calling in Christ Jesus are worthy, and as a re- 
sult, the inevitable result of this Federal Council in Philadelphia, there 
will be greater harmony and more effective work for the cause of 


56 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CI[URCHES OF CHRIST. 


Christ and salvation than there would have been without it. I thank 
you for your attention. 


AMENDING THE PLAN OF FEDERATION 


Bishop Hendrix of the Committee on Organization and De- 
velopment, presented the following amendment to section 1X 
of the Plan of Federation : 


(a) The officers of this Federal Council shall be a President, one 
Vice-President from each of its constituent bodies, a Corresponding 
Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, and an Executive Com- 
mittee, who shall perform the duties usually assigned to such officers. 

(b) The Corresponding Secretary shall aid in organizing and assisting 
local councils and shall represent the Federal Council in its work under 
the direction of the Executive Committee. 

(ec) The Executive Committee shall consist of one representative, min- 
ister or layman, from each of the constituent bodies, and one addi- 
tional representative for every 500,000 of its communicants or major 
fraction thereof, together with the President, all Ex-Presidents, the 
Corresponding Secretary, the Recording Secretary, and the Treasurer. 
The Executive Committee shall have authority to attend to all business 
of the Federal Council in the intervals of its meetings and to fill all 
vacancies. It shall meet for organization immediately upon the ad- 
journment of the Federal Council, and shall have power to elect its 
own officers. 

(d) All officers shall be chosen at the quadrennial meetings of the 
Council and shall hold their offices until their successors take office. 

(e) The President, the Corresponding Secretary, the Recording Sec- 
retary, and the Treasurer shall be elected by the Federal Conner on 
nomination by the Executive Committee. 

(f) The Vice-Presidents and the members of the Executive Committee 
shall be elected by the Council upon nomination by the representatives 
in attendance of each of their respective constituent bodies. 


After a full discussion the amendment was adopted, first, by 
vote of the Council, and then by vote of the constituent bodies. 
After the vote was announced Bishop Hendrix said: 


I venture to make mention of request for a verse of thanksgiving to 
God. In the adoption of the Plan of Federation in the amendment of 
the Plan, and in the adoption of the Plan of Organization, which is so 
vital to the whole movement, there has been absolute unanimity. I 
move, therefore, that we unite in the Doxology in recognition of the 
marvelous unity. 

The Council then rose and sang— 

‘“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.’’ 
and was led in prayer by Bishop Hendrix. 


REV. BAXTER P. FULLERTON, D.D. REV. J. H. HOWERTON, D.D. 


REV. CHARLES A. DICKEY, D.D. REV. JAMES D. MOFFAT, D.D. 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 57 


Friday Afternoon. 


The Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, D.D., LL.D., South Bethle- 
hem, Pa., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Diocese 
of Central Pennsylvania, presided, and prayer was offered by 
the Rey. George Elliott, D.D., of Chicago. : 

The report of the Committee on Co-operation in Home Mis- 
sions was presented by the Rev. Edgar P. Hill, D.D., Professor 
of Homiletics and Applied Christianity, of the McCormick 
Theological Seminary, Chairman, Chicago, Ill. (See page 
216.) 

In presenting the resolutions, Dr. Hill said: 


In this matter of co-operative action between the bodies we represent 
there is no point at which our tact and resourcefulness and Christian 
graces will be so severely tested as on the Home Mission field. It is there 
we contest for new territory; it is there that the belligerent spirit often 
asserts itself most powerfully; it is there that we often imagine we are 
winning victories for the Kingdom when in fact we are simply making 
it uncomfortable for some other regiment of our own army. It is at 
that point, the Home Mission field, that our work is to be severely 
tested. It is one thing for merchants to gather at a banquet and to ex- 
press their kindly feelings in after-dinner speeches, but the situation is 
changed when those merchants find themselves in the same territory 
hustling for new business. It is one thing for representatives of differ- 
ent governments to pledge their loyalty over their wine glasses, but it 
was something different when the soldiers of the different nations yonder 
in Peking wheeled into line against the common danger. That was dif- 
ferent. That was business. That proved the genuineness of their pro- 
fessions. That was an object lesson to the Christian forces of America. 
Lines of distinction were not eliminated, but the possibility and the 
power of co-operative action were illustrated and were emphasized. 

Now as we have investigated this matter of co-operative action on the 
Home Mission fields, we have become profoundly impressed with the im- 
portance of some action. Those who are nearest the problem, realize 
most keenly the importance of some action being taken. When each of 
us insists on assuming that a district is not being evangelized unless 
his denomination is doing the work, we are seriously duplicating our 
agencies, we are wasting our money, we are sacrificing men. Men are 
tetained on small fields, whereas they might be relieved to go to fields 
of greater need. : 

Now, brethren, of course I realize that I skate on thin ice just here, 
because so long as there are many denominations it is necessary to 
duplicate agencies; it is necessary to use more money; to use more men. 
But here is a town of a thousand people, and in that town are eight 
or ten churches, several of them very much alike. All of the churches 


58 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


are struggling. The pastors are discouraged. Money is being received 
from Home Mission funds for all of them. So far as the community 
is concerned the net result is the creation of irritations and jealousies 
rather than the uplift of the community towards God. Now all of us 
who have been interested at all in Home Mission work know that this 
is ‘the situation in many districts in the West. Therefore we have pre- 
pared this resolution: 


“In view of the perils that confront our common eause, of the neces- 
sity of co-operative action in extending the Lord’s kingdom and of our 
desire to cultivate that unity of the spirit for which our Master prayed, 
be it, 

‘*Resolved, That this Federal Council expresses its profound conyic- 
tion that the time has come for the various denominations here repre- 
sented to come together in frank, fraternal conference to consider their 
common interests in the extension of the Lord’s Kingdom, especially as 
they pertain to the cause of Home Missions in urban and rural districts, 
in order that financial wastefulness may be stopped, unseemly rivalry 
eliminated and earnest co-operation secured in carrying on the work of 
evangelization. ’’ 

Now if there is not financial wastefulness in certain quarters, this 
does not apply. If there is not unseemly rivalry in certain places with 
which you are familiar, this does not apply. This applies to places where 
there is financial wastefulness and where there is unseemly rivalry. 


Some good work has been done. Commissions have been formed. 
There has been federative action in many localities, and for the most 
part the reports that come are very enthusiastic. In most cases it has 
been observed that all that was necessary was an investigation of the 
situation, and when the men most interested were made aware of the real 
situation relief was presented almost immediately. Now in the body of 
our report we mention some of these commissions and their plans. 
These are mentioned simply in the way of suggestion, that is all. The 
action that was taken this morning concerning State Federations, ap- 
plies, perhaps, in a measure. But some of our federations have been 
federations of Jews and Roman Catholics and evangelical bodies for the 
purpose of entering into arrangements for reform movements and phil- 
anthropic movements. This has something else in mind. This has in 
mind the matter of Home Missions; and if a State federated body is 
able to take this matter into consideration, that would be sufficient; but 
in those federated bodies where the constituency is so different from 
ours, perhaps it would be difficult to arrange through sueh an organiza- 
tion. But that of course is left to the special needs of the special com- 
munity. Therefore, in view of this, we suggest this action, which is 
numbered five: 


‘«That in general Home Mission work throughout the land, commis- 
sions be formed representing the various denominations interested, for 
the purpose of investigations, advice and the formulation of plans for 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. _ 59 


co-operating in the extension of God’s Kingdom, in order that over- 
churched communities may be relieved, unchurched communities, and the 
cause of Christ find a new place of honor in the hearts of men.’’ 


Less, I think, than a year ago, a very significant movement was started 
in New York City. The representatives of various national Home Mis- 
sionary societies came together to consider this matter of co-operation. 
It was a very important gathering. Those men understand the situa- 
tion. They realize keenly the need of action. They should have our 
co-operation, our encouragement, our approval. Therefore, in view of 
that action taken in New York, we suggest resolution No. 2: 


‘“‘That we hail with gratitude the organization of a Home Missions 
Council, representing the principal Home Mission organizations of the 
United States, for the purpose of more effective service.’’ 


Another movement has been started in some of our cities. Some 
months ago, in the city of Chicago, official representatives of a number 
of the strong home missionary societies came together and formed a 
council for the purpose of co-operative action in connection with three 
lines of work: rescue work in congested districts, work among foreign 
missionaries, and the organization of new churches in growing suburbs, 
and in portions of the city where new organizations might be needed. 
We who are engaged in Home Mission work and in City Mission work 
realize immediately the absolute necessity of some sort of co-operative 
work. Do you recognize how the work is being carried on among the 
foreigners? As you are well aware, the foreigners have been sweeping 
in in a flood, at the rate of a million a year until this last year. In six 
years enough have come to repopulate the State of Delaware twenty- 
five times over, and they have been losing themselves in our cities, and 
we have been trying to reach them, but our forces are hopelessly insuffi- 
cient. How do we go about it? 

One denomination determines that it will do some work among the 
Italians, for example. So a vacant store is rented, and a theological 
seminary student, perhaps, is sent into the neighborhood, to begin by 
means of oranges or picnic tickets, or Christmas tickets—and I am not 
drawing on my imagination either. The children are persuaded to come | 
into the storeroom, and a Sunday-school is started. In the course of four 
or five or six years twenty or thirty converts are made. Then another 
denomination decides to go in, and another storeroom is rented, and some 
of the conyerts that have been received into the first organization are 
coaxed away to start with, and they open for business. And then the 
next year another denomination goes in, and in the course of a few years 
there are four or five different denominations in little storerooms in the 
same neighborhood, trying to do work among the Italians, and right in 
the midst of them rises a great cathedral, thronged with people, and the 
spires of the great cathedral sometimes seem almost to be looking down 
in amusement on the comedy; and it would be amusing if it were not 
so tragical. 


60 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


In Chicago we came to the conclusion that if we kept on as we were 
going, we could not expect to make much of an impression on the for- 
eigners of Chicago, in less than, well, five or six hundred years. So a 
council was formed to take up the matter of work among foreigners, 
work in congested districts, that is, rescue missions, and work in those 
portions of the city where new organizations might be needed. We held 
our first business meeting about three weeks ago. One of the denomina- 
tions expressed a desire to start a church in a growing suburb where 
thirty or forty people had asked for such an organization. The council 
considered the matter carefully, gave its hearty approval and passed a 
resolution of thanks to the denomination for its courtesy in presenting 
the matter for its consideration. At that same meeting it was dis- 
covered that no work was being done among the Finns. Therefore, one of 
the other denominations was asked to begin work among the Finns, the 
rest agreeing not only to keep hands off but to co-operate in every pos- 
sible way. So we feel we have made a start in Chicago. -In view of 
that start, and in view of the fact that in all of our large cities the 
same conditions prevail, we suggest that the following action be taken: 


‘4. That in the various cities where mission work is being earried 
on, conferences between the different evangelizing agencies be called, 
such as that held in Chicago during the past year, and that special con- 
sideration be given to the matter of federative action as to work in con- 
gested districts, among foreigners, and in sections where new church 
organizations may be contemplated.’’ 


Now, my brothers, the longer we have investigated this matter, the 
_ more deeply we have become impressed with the fact that the essential 
thing in this whole question is not a method, not a plan, but a spirit. A 
plan is only a machine. The best machine that ever was invented with- 
out a man to run it is useless. The best machine that ever was invented 
in the hands of a bad man may be even a dangerous thing. The essen- 
tial thing is not a plan; it is a spirit. For three years we have been 
trying to get together in Chicago two warring Presbyterian churches. 
Every time we suggested plans it was the signal for the renewal of hos- 
tilities. Neither party wanted to give up the name of its church. 
Neither party wanted to give up its officers; neither party wanted to 
give up its building; and we have been at that for three years. About 
three months ago, the spirit of the Lord got into the hearts of the peo- 
ple of both those churches. I suppose it is hardly Presbyterian to say 
so, aud yet the facts are they were all reconverted. Now.what is the 
result? Why, the result is that any sort of a plan will work. They 
are bound to get together, plan or no plan. This incident I relate simply 
to emphasize the point that the essential thing is the cultivation of a 
spirit. It is necessary that this whole matter be agitated. Our peo- 
ple need to be informed; they need to have impressed upon them the 
fact that it is absolutely essential that there be some sort of co-opera- 
tion if ever we are to win this nation of ours to Christ. They need to 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 61 


come together in order to know one another and love one another, as we 
gathered here in this Council are beginning to know and to love one an- 
other. They need to have a new vision of the needs of men everywhere, 
and to have a new vision of our blessed Master whom we all love and 
trust and desire to obey. Therefore we suggest resolution No. 3: 


““That a committee consisting of representatives of the Home Mission 
Council be requested to join the Executive Committee of this Federal 
Council in issuing an appeal to the seventeen million constituents in the 
fellowship of the two councils, setting forth in succinct form the rea- 
sons for co-operation in Home Mission work. That this joint committee 
be requested to aid in arrangements for the holding of mass meetings 
in the strategic centers and to take such other action as they may deem 
expedient in the interests of Federated Home Mission Work.’’ 

It was not known, when this resolution was drafted, that arrange- 
ments had been made already for doing that very thing, but it is here 
just as it was written. 

We desire in case these resolutions are adopted that the order in 
permanent form be as indicated. I will say that this report was sent 
to all the members of the committee whose names were handed in, and 
that every man gave his approval to the report. It was also sent to 
New York City, and the secretaries of a number of the home missionary 
societies examined it carefully, made certain suggestions, which have 
been placed in the report, and now it is offered to you for action. 


After a full and friendly discussion by the Rev. E. Trum- 
bull Lee, D.D., Bishop Earl Cranston, D.D., Bishop E. E. 
Hoss, D.D., Bishop George W. Clinton, D.D., Bishop Rudolph 
Dubs, D.D., the Rev. Charles L. Thompson, D.D., the Rev. 
Alfred Williams Anthony, D.D., and the chairman, the reso- 
lutions appended were adopted. (See page 224.) 

The following is the discussion in full: 


REY. E. TRUMBULL LEE, D. D.: Mr. Moderator, I move the adop- 
tion of these resolutions. 

THE CHAIRMAN: Of the resolutions as a whole? All the resolu- 
tions? 

DR. LEE: Yes, sir; and may I speak? 

THE CHAIRMAN: By all means. Will you kindly come to the 
platform, Doctor? Your name, please? 

DR. LEE: Bishop Lee of the Presbyterian Church. I was a Con- 
gregationalist by birth, and I was born again in the Congregational 
Church, and am a Presbyterian by conviction. I am deeply interested 
in this subject. The first thirteen years of my ministry were spent west 
of the Missouri River, in the States of Oregon, California, and Colorado. 
For nine of those years I was chairman of the Home Missionary com- 
mittee of one of the presbyteries, a committee that on the frontier acts 


62 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


for the presbytery between the meetings that usually happen only once 
a year. I believe that there are altogether too many churches, at least 
in the territory to which I refer. I know a town of three thousand 
people with fourteen churches. There were at that time, until the union 
of the Cumberland with the Presbyterian Church, three Presbyterian 
churches in the number. There were two Methodist churches in the 
number, North and South,—an inexplicable and causeless multiplication 
of churches. 1 know another town of fifteen hundred people with six 
churches; and so the instances might be cited one after another. There 
is, therefore, a basis of support for scores and scores of our ministers 
that is below the demands even of self-respect. It should be apparent 
to us all that there is also a wastefulness of home missionary money 
both in the carrying on and the maintenance of the work and in the com- 
pleting of edifices, and I have a distinct impression with reference to 
the often-alleged reduction in the number of candidates for the ministry 
that it is an index that the Lord is striving with His Church. 


I am not troubled by the decrease in the candidates for the ministry 
so long as fourteen churches are carrying on work in a town of three 
thousand people that might easily be reduced by three, and might really 
be advancing the cause and kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Why in a town of three thousand people should three Presby- 
terian churches be working, of different Presbyterian denominations? Why 
in a town of three thousand should two Methodist churches be working, 
Methodist Church North and Methodist Church South? I tell you, 
brethren, that in this decrease of candidates for the ministry I am 
questioning the reasons that are usually advanced. I believe that the 
fundamental reason is that Jehovah has a controversy with His Church. 
We ought to-bear in mind that this country in order to be evangelized 
for Jesus Christ ought to be evangelized by the best possible methods. 
I hail, therefore, the coming together of a body like this, that we may 
see eye to eye, that we may develop, not now, perhaps, but in the fu- 
ture more or less immediate, some definite plan which we may work for 
the purpose of decreasing the number of churches in countless scores of 
towns, and releasing for a wider and a grander work the ministers that 
we already have, many of them working on starvation salaries, who could 
be better supported and can be better encouraged, and can do stronger 
work with a larger vision and with a wider horizon. 


BISHOP EARL CRANSTON: Brethren, I do not want any Presby- 
terian-Congregationalist to repeat the story that I am going to tell you. 
I will tell you something more strange than that,—a town of less than 
a thousand people with thirteen church organizations and a ready de- 
mand for another. The story was like this. I said to the old farmer who 
was my host in the little village in the State of Washington: 

‘*How many church organizations have you here?’’? He said: 

“*Sir, we have thirteen.’’ 

‘“How many pastors are you seeking to support?’’ 


ee ee ee ee eee 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 63 


“‘We are really supporting six.’’ 


A little later that got into one of our church papers, was copied into 
«The Congregationalist’’ reached a benevolent Home Mission giver in 
the State of Connecticut, and his pastor wrote me to know the name of 
that place, and the names of the denominations. J immediately com- 
municated with my old friend and had his reply, and he actually gave me 
the names of the thirteen denominations and the names of the churches 
that were then supporting pastors, and then he added this. He said: 

“On last Sunday night we had a very bright conversion at our church, 
and our pastor said to the young woman, ‘Now, if you would like to 
unite with this church, I should be glad to receive you; but if you 
prefer some other denomination, I shall be very happy to give your name 
to the pastor of that church;’ and she looked up through her tears of 
joy and said, ‘The church of my choice is not represented in this 
lagers 22 


Now, brethren, let it be understood that the great denominations rep- 
resented are not always responsible for the multiplication of churches 
in these villages. I could take you at that date, the date to which I 
refer, a few years ago only, to a town in another state, the State of Ore- 
gon, where there were no less than forty, as I was told reliably, differ- 
ent organizations collecting dues from the people outside the Christian 
churches, and outside the fraternities, the Masonic and other orders; and 
these churches that were there—not numerically disproportionate as to 
population—were compelled to make headway and, of course, only suc- 
ceeded in half doing it and supporting their pastors in competition with 
all these fraternal and social organizations that were taking money away 
from the people. I cannot quite agree that there are too many churches 
in Colorado and Oregon and Washington. I do agree that they are not 
happily distributed, and under the system of denominational rivalry they 
cannot be happily distributed, and therefore I am in hearty accord with 
the propositions contained in these resolutions. It seems to me they 
ought to command the support of every lover of the Kingdom of God 
and every man who believes in the wise administration of mission funds. 


BISHOP HOSS: I have, Mr. President, long been of the opinion 
that there are too many Methodist churches in the United States. It 
has seemed entirely clear to me that several of them ought to disor- 
ganize and come to my church, but I haven’t power to compel them to 
do so. While I stand with open arms and am ready to receive them— 
my friend Bishop Cranston, for example, and some of the rest—I have 
no disposition to use force or to put any undue coustraint upon their 
will. JI have seen the evil conditions to which reference has been made 
here. J am aware of the fact that where there are two little Methodist 
churches on opposite corners of the same street in a village of a thou- 
sand people, agreeing in nothing excepting in hating one another and 
starving both their pastors, that the devil has come indeed to be person- 
ally present. I am cordially in sympathy with any movement that looks 


64 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


to the propagation of wiser views in regard to these matters. The time 
must surely come, and come speedily, when we shall trust one another 
more thoroughly as Christian men and shall put far away from us the 
notion that unless the particular organization to which we belong is 
represented in a given community everything is going wrong and the 
Kingdom of God is not flourishing. But this will have to be a matter 
of give and take. It does not mean that the other man must always 
surrender and you must always have your own way. It means, are you 
willing to surrender in some cases? 

Then there is another difficulty. In these United States people are 
not sheep. You cannot turn them over from one church to another 
against their own will. If twenty-five of them choose to maintain a 
church in a given community and to support their pastor as well as they 
can, you cannot prohibit them from doing it; but there is one thing you 
can do, and that is you can quit spending them missionary money with 
which to carry on the fight. 

Now I know sixteen places in the State of Tennessee—and I may be 
pardoned for saying that I have been a Tennessean one hundred and 
fifty years; prior to that time I was a Pennsylvania Dutchman—I know 
sixteen places in the State of Tennessee where there are two Methodist 
churches, neither one of which has as many as a hundred members in 
it, and they are getting along reasonably well with one another, as well 
as could be expected under the circumstances; but I am praying that I 
may have grace and that my Episcopal brethren in the Methodist Hpis- 
copal Church may have grace to look at these matters calmly and cooly 
and in the spirit of Christ, and say, we are willing to surrender some- 
thing in order to secure a better state of affairs. I do not wish any- 
thing for my own church that I am not willing to give to any other 
church. Some people make a great parade of their liberality when they 
recognize the Christians of other churches. That is not liberality at all. 
Liberality consists in recognizing the churches of other Christians. 


We cannot enter into any details of policy here; as a matter of course 
we cannot. But, Mr. President, I am a believer in the sovereignty of 
ideas, and when you propagate a great thought in the popular mind 
you may safely leave it to work itself out in its own form. If this 
great gathering delivers itself on the general principles involved in these 
issues, you will surely see in the course of time, and that too, before any 
very long time, an improvement in regard to these matters concerning 
which I have been speaking. I have lived on the Pacifie Coast, Mr. 
President, I have lived in the mountains of North Carolina. I am a 
Southern white, a mountain highlander, though not a fair specimen of 
the class to which I have the honor to belong. I know all about these 
conditions. I have suffered in the flesh and I have suffered in the spirit, 
and, if I must tell the truth, | have suffered in my pocket-book, too, as 
a result of this. I am perfectly willing to come to terms with anybody 
that is perfectly willing to come to terms with me. I am ready to sit 


BISHOP S. C. BREYFOGEL, D.D. gS IAS PUSS A 


BISHOP W. S. DERRICK, D.D. BISHOP A. W. WILSON, D.D. 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 65 


down and give and take with any man that will meet me in the same 
spirit. 


BISHOP GEORGE W. CLINTON, D.D., Charlotte, N. C. (A. M. E. 
Zion Church) : : 

Mr. Chairman and Brethren: I do not wish to get your attention 
simply to give color, but I know no question that has come before this 
great Council that applies more forcibly to my people and the denomina- 
tion to which I belong than this question that is now before the house. 
I heartily endorse what has been said by the preceding speakers as to the 
question of there being too many churches in numerous communities, es- 
pecially in the communities where it has been my privilege to preside as 
a bishop and where I have labored in other capacities as_a churchman. 
I think Bishop Hoss and other brethren who have labored in the South 
haye not only been troubled by the extra burden that is entailed upon 
communities by an over-taxation of churches of their own people, but by 
an oyer-taxation of churches of my people; for I want to say to the 
credit of the people of the South—and I have labored there more exten- 
sively than elsewhere—that we find very substantial help among them; 
and if we are denied help from many other sources and upon many 
other matters, there is no time when we fail to find a helping hand when 
it comes to our church work; and yet we, too, often fail because I go 
to some man of charitable disposition for help, he presents me the name 
of a brother who has just preceded me, and thereby leaves me without. 
I want to say, however, that the three denominations that are federated, 
the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Epis- 
eopal Zion Church, and the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, have 
anticipated the action of the Council somewhat. In a meeting held in 
Chicago last February we agreed upon a sort of federation, and this was 
one of the results, that we would not only refrain from organizing in 
communities that were sufficiently church-burdened, but that we would 
encourage our brothers to join the churches already there. If I should 
find in my district the need of a good man, I could appeal to my brother 
Bishop Lane and get the loan of that man without his losing his church 
membership, and vice versa. 

There is a possible reason fer the failure of more men going into the 
ministry. When a man can get twice or three times as much in some 
other position it is reasonable to suppose he is not going to enter the 
ministry unless he has a mighty call laid upon him. I closed a confer- 
ence last Sunday evening in order to hasten here, and I found at least a 
half dozen fairly good preachers, none of whose salaries reached one 
hundred and fifty dollars, and yet in that same community there were 
day laborers getting from twelve to fifteen dollars a month and their 
board. Now what would a man with a family look like standing up. 
preaching to a congregation on one hundred and fifty dollars and get his 
own board? 


66 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


REV. RUDOLPH DUBS, D.D., LL.D., Editor, ‘‘Der Evangelische 
Zeitschrift,’’ Harrisburg: ; 

I am not surprised sometimes that the brethren who represent the 
larger churches are for union along this line. They would like to swal- 
low us up. You must consider the smaller churches too. As far as Dr. 
Hill’s work is concerned, in city rescue work and for the Italians, etc., 
that is all right. Many of these churches that. are multiplied in these 
towns are multiplied because of self-preservation of the organization to 
which they belong, and because some of them, a multitude in this coun- 
try, have been started in Germany, and now gradually they are becoming 
English. They cannot abandon the German membership, and yet they 
do not want to abandon their youth, and you do not know the predica- 
ment they are in. And then, in order to keep their young people and 
not die out, they have got to perpetuate their organization, and some- 
times for that reason they establish a church in a town where there are 
churches of other confessions. 


I know many places—I have been out twenty-five times to the Coast 
and other places—where there are churches established simply for self- 
preservation, for the organization; and as long as you cannot get that 
organization to unite with another organization they will establish 
churches to hold on to their children and establish churches of their 
confession of faith. The Lutherans, that have been taught according 
to the confession of faith in the Reformed Church, that have studied 
Luther’s catechism, the young people, and the Heidelberg catechism 
and our catechism and other catechisms, those children you cannot trans- 
fer to the Presbyterians or Methodists at once. They have convictions, 
and we are in a free land. It has been said there is liberty here for 
individual convictions. 

But I will tell you what ought to be done in my estimation. A num- 
ber of smaller church organizations who are almost or entirely alike in 
faith and church polity ought to unite into one body. I hope the day 
will never come that we will have a Protestant-Roman Church in Amer- 
ica. No, sir; I do not want one church, one Protestant church in Amer- 
ica, and you cannot maintain one. If you make it to-day on paper, be- 
fore twenty-four hours you will have another Protestant organization. 
Do not you dream of that. But large groups, the Presbyterian group, 
the Methodist group, the United Brethren, and the United Evangelical, 
and the Evangelical Association, and the Protestant Methodist. That 
would make a fine group. J am ready with my hand for these. Come 
alung brethren. 

Now, if you get these smaller organizations united, then, sir, let these 
other large congregations be represented and such large bodies; and I 
tell you it is a mighty good thing sometimes to get a second church in 


a town, when one had the supremacy and was about asleep, and here - 


comes a young fellow and rustles them up—they will run their work 
better than ever before. No, sir; I do not want one church, but I do 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 67 


think the time will come—yes, Bishop Hill, I am in Philadelphia— 
when these smaller churches will unite. Then you will have less 
churches in the cities and in these towns in the West. Now how is it? 
The Presbyterian church has started a German work, started a German 
seminary in Dubuque, like the Congregational church. Dr. Hill has a 
work in Chicago, a German work; and you are just getting all the 
members from us that you can possibly get, you Presbyterian brethren. 


REV. CHARLES L. THOMPSON, D.D., Secretary of the Board of 
Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.: 

Nobody can be out of sympathy with the splendid spirit of fraternity 
that is manifested in this work and in the sentiment of this audience. 
The time has come when we must come together and hang togethér or 
hang separately. But I do want to inject a tone a little more hopeful, 
if I may, into this discussion. Financial waste sometimes I have seen; 
unseemly rivalry occasionally, I presume so; but I deny that those two 
facts, and exceptional ones, represent the spirit of our evangelical Chris- 
tianity in this country. 

Neither, sir, am I willing to admit, admirable as these resolutions are, 
and the report of which they form a part, and heartily as I subscribe to 
every sentiment expressed, I am not willing to admit that they have 
just been discovered by this Federal Council or by our committee. I 
want to-call your attention to the growth of this spirit of co-operation 
of which these resolutions are the final and splendid expression. Twenty- 
five or thirty years ago, four denominations, of which yours, sir, was 
one, met in New York City to say, ‘‘We are entering on work in 
Alaska, and we are going to do it as brethren and not in rivalry.’’ 
And they divided up that great territory into the four or five divisions 
of those denominations, and that division has been respected up to this 
time. There has been no collision. 


Nine years ago, in the city of New York, four denominations contem- 
plated going into work in Porto Rico. Before they began, or just as 
they began, they met there and said, ‘‘Let us go in there as brethren, 
not in rivalry but to help each other, and try as rapidly as possible to 
lift that island into the light of our Christian civilization;’’ and they 
divided up the territory in that island, one denomination taking the 
eastern end, and another the western, and two others down the center 
of the island; and we went down to Porto Rico and we said to the 
people there in a proclamation in Spanish, signed by these various de- 
nominations: ‘‘We be brethren; we are one; we represent one com- 
mon Christianity, and we are here to help one another and help you,’’ 
and that spirit has obtained up to the present time. There has not been 


one infraction of that spirit of amity and federation on the island of 


Porto Rico from that day to this. And they are doing the same thing, 
the bishop reminds me, in the Philippine Islands. 


A DELEGATE: The same thing in Brazil and the Argentine. 


68 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. - 


DR. THOMPSON: Furthermore this magnificent Council is the out- 
come of discussions and conferences begun in New York City fifteen 
years ago, first in an Open Church League, and then in federations, 
State and National, federations by means of which, finally, as I say, 
has resulted in this splendid Council with its larger purpose and larger 
vision. And it should be borne in mind that the spirit of federation 
is not the flower of a sudden burst of enthusiasm, but a steady growth 
that represents the spiritual convictions of the Christian bodies of this 
country. 

Let me say further, even now some of the bodies represented in this 
Council have a compact of federation on the field by which any ques- 
tion that arises that might suggest rivalry on the field is submitted first 
to committees on the field, and if they cannot agree, submitted to the 
officers of the missionary societies represented there, to the end that 
financial waste may be lessened, that rivalry may be eliminated, and 
that we may work together as one body to bring this country to Christ. 

REV. ALFRED WILLIAMS ANTHONY, D.D.: I have the 
sanction of the chairman of the committee to make this sug- 
gested amendment in the phrasing of the resolution number five, 
and the purpose is to put our action this afternoon into complete har- 
mony with the action of this morning. It is the resolution beginning 
with the words, ‘‘That in general Home Mission work throughout the 
land,’’ ‘and the suggested amendment is this, that the resolution read 
as follows: 

‘‘That in general Home Mission work throughout the land, inter- 
denominational commissions or State federations be formed for the 
purpose of investigation, advice and the formulation of plans,’’ and it 
goes on as printed. This will put our action this afternoon in perfect 
harmony with our action this morning, and is a mere verbal change 
which has the sanction of the chairman of the committee. 


THE CHURCH AND MODERN INDUSTRY 


The report of the Committee on the Church and Modern 
Industry was presented by the Chairman, the Rev. Frank 
Mason North, D.D., of New York, Secretary of the National 
City Evangelization Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
(See page 226.) 

In presenting the resolutions which were in the form of a 
statement and recommendations, Dr. North said: 

Mr. President, in behalf of the committee, I wish to say one word, 
as Bishop McCabe used to say, before I begin. The report which you 
have in the pamphlet did not have the advantage of final correction of 
proof. Therefore there are one or two matters in which it does not rep- 
resent the action of the committee, but there is nothing essentially 
wrong. Let me say that it was the opinion of the committee that on 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 69 


questions so numerous and so delicate as those referred to it, it would be 
better not to present brief resolutions for action, but to present a state- 
ment and recommendations, that the Council might take action upon a 
body of statement and not upon individual resolutions alone. Therefore 
I beg your indulgence while I present to you the written report of the 
committee, and I beg to say that I will have no explanation or remarks 
of my own to make in addition to the report, unless at the end I may 
haye perhaps the necessity of saying a word in carrying the report to 
your affirmative judgment. 


The Rev. Charles Stelzle, the Rev. A. J. McKelway, the Rev. 
R. G. Boville, the Rev. George Colby Chase, the Rev. J. L. 
Weaver, the Rev. Hervey Wood, and the chairman, took part 
in the discussion preceding the adoption of the resolutions. 
Mr. Stelzle, the superintendent of the Department of Church 
and Labor of the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian 
Church, who had been invited to address the Council because 
of his wide experience in social service among laboring men 
spoke as follows: 


Mr. Chairman: Let me say first of all, that the statement presented 
‘by Dr. North is the greatest paper on this subject that I have ever 
heard or read, and if I can say to the workmen of America that the 
Federal Council really means it it will be the biggest thing that I 
can say or that I have ever yet said. There are thousands of men who 
are being deluded by the vain hope that if they can abolish the Labor 
Union, they will have solved the labor question. These men forget that 
the labor union is not the labor question. 

If every labor union in existence were to be wiped out to-day, the 
labor question would still be present, and I sometimes think in a more 
aggravated form than we have it to-day. There are forces, organized 
and unorganized, which are comprised in this term. It includes the 
twenty-five million socialists of the world, eight million of whom have 
cast their ballots for socialist candidates. It embraces the eight million 
trades unionists from every land. It includes that movement among the 
Russian peasantry, twenty thousand of whom in a recent year suffered 
martyrs’ deaths because of their belief in the ideal which somebody 
has given them. It includes the movement among the ‘common people 
of Germany, forty per cent. of whose entire population are working and 
voting for the success of the social democracy in that country. It in- 
cludes the movement among the common people in France, in Italy, in 
Austria, and in Australia, to say nothing about the social unrest that 
exists in our own country. 

And in view of all this it does not require a very wise man to say 
that this is the era of the common man. Slowly but surely the masses 
of the people are coming to their own, and no human power can stop 


70 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


the onward march of the working people of the world. When the hour 
strikes that shall proclaim their victory, this is the question that will 
confront us as a church and as a nation: will they be inspired by a 
high religious ideal given them by the Church of Jesus Christ, or will 
they go on to better and nobler things, indifferent to the Church, be- — 
cause of the consciousness that they have won all in spite of the 
Church? This is the question that confronts the churches of our coun- 
try, and we dare not be side-tracked in our discussion of it by a specious 
argument against the labor union. 

There is so much religion in this movement and so much social spirit 
in the Church, that some day it will become a question as to whether 
the Church will capture the labor movement or whether the labor 
movement will capture the Church. I am not a socialist. Socialism does 
not appeal to me economically or morally, but, brethren, do you know 
that the men and the organizations that are saying the strongest things 
to-day concerning the wickedness of child labor are these very socialists. 
Who has not been thrilled by John Spargo’s book, ‘‘The Bitter Cry of 
the Children?’’ John Spargo is a socialist, formerly a Methodist 
preacher who got out of the Church because he felt that he found no 
sympathy there. ‘‘Poverty,’’ telling of the sufferings of the poor, was 
written by Robert Hunter, another socialist. The story of ‘‘The Jun- 
gle,’’ exaggerated, true enough, but enough truth in it to make every 
Christian heart awaken to the awful conditions of the working people 
in Chicago, was written by Upton Sinclair, another socialist. We be- 
lieve in the abolition of child labor. We believe in the securing of better 
sanitary conditions in the sweat shop and in the tenement. We be- 
lieve in an absolutely square deal to women. But, brethren, why can’t 
we say so, and say it so emphatically that the socialists and the trades 
unionists, or nobody else, cannot declare that they are doing more than 
the Church of Jesus Christ is doing to-day, in this respect. But we 
must say it not merely in the passing of resolutions but in appearing 
before our legislators, in appearing before the employers who are vio- 
lating the law, and insisting that the lives of little children must be 
spared. : 


A little while ago I addressed a meeting in one of our western 
cities, and the minister prayed something like this. He said: ‘‘O 
Lord, I pray Thee spare the little children in the mills and factories in 
this town. Protect their young lives from injury as they toil among the 
machinery.’’ And when it came my chance to speak I could not help 
but say, Yes, God pity these little children who are compelled to work 
in the mills and factories, because I know something about it; but, 
men, do not let us put the whole thing up to the Lord. Let us put it 
where it belongs. 


There is one part of these resolutions in which I heartily believe. 
If we could get our preachers, especially our students in the theological 
seminaries, to study these problems and catch something of the vision 


_MINUTES OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. {fat 


of the needs of the people, it would be a great thing. Now when our 
young men go to the theological seminary to study for the ministry, 
they study about the social life of the Israelites and the Jebusites and 
the Hittites and the Hivites and the suburbanites, and a long list of 
other ites—most interesting people, who are supposed to have lived three 
or four thousand years ago, and I suppose most of them did; and when 
they become our ministers and preach about these people we listen to 
them with very great interest—that is, sometimes some of us do—but 
when a man studies into the social life of the Chicagoites or the Buffalo- 
ites or the Pittsburgites and preaches about it in precisely the same 
way that he would talk about the social life of the Amalekites, for in- 
stanee, some good brother will calmly remind him that he might better 
preach the simple Gospel, whatever that may mean; I really have never 
found out. 

To me the Gospel of Jesus Christ is as broad as humanity and as 
deep as human experience, and any gospel that falls short of that is 
an insult to Him who gave it to us and a slander upon our Christianity. 
Really, it is very much easier to get the facts concerning the Pittsburg- 
ites, for example, than it is to get them concerning the Amalekites. 
You will be very much surer of your statements. And, furthermore, the 
Pittsburgites need it a whole lot more, because the Amalekites have 
been a long time dead. I believe in the resolutions with my whole heart, 
and I hope you will pass them unanimously. 


Rev. A. J. MeKelway, D.D., of Atlanta, Ga., Secretary for 
the Southern States of the National Child Labor Committee, 
presented a few facts concerning child labor, saying in part: 


I am persuaded from my experience with well-informed men every- 
where, some of whom are before me now, that there is a vast amount of 
ignorance concerning the dreadful nature of this problem over our coun- 
try. I believe it to be the greatest shame of the American Republic 
to-day that there are about one million children under sixteen years of 
age employed in occupations other than agricultural; that they range 
from six years up to sixteen; that some of them work by law twelve 
hours a day or twelve hours a night; and that this nation as a whole is 
not yet aroused to its full obligation and duty in this particular. 

The committee which I have the honor to represent in the Southern 
States has done a vast work in the last four years. It has changed for 
the better the laws of thirty-six states in this Union. There are now 
only two States in the Union, Oklahoma and Nevada, without a child 
labor law, and yet there is a vast deal of work to be done yet in the 
enforcement of the law and in raising the standard of legislation. 

There has been a great deal said about the evil conditions of child 
labor throughout the Southern States. JI have no word of charity for 
them, but it happens that according to the census of 1900 there were 
more children employed under sixteen years of age in this State of 


/ 


72 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Pennsylvania than there were in all the Southern States put together. 
The percentage of the children employed as compared with the whole 
number of workers is larger in the Southern States, but the actual 
number of children employed was larger in this one State, this great 
manufacturing and mining State, than in all our Southern States put 
together. And I could tell you a story, because I am in intimate rela- 
tion with the Pennsylvania Child Labor Committee, stories of how when 
officials are elected or appointed for the express duty of enforcing the 
law, it turns out that they were perhaps lobbyists against our cause be- 
fore they were appointed, and under the employment of the very agencies 
which we are fighting after they were appointed, so that the law breaks 
down and the child is oppressed. 

There is just one other word that I want to say in connection with 
the topic that follows, the protection of women in industries. I hope 
that you will have some great national committee organized, for the 
work which we have is too great for us to do now, for the protection of 
women in industry. I want to call your attention to one fact, that the 
Supreme Court of the United States, in a court decision written by Jus- 
tice Brewer, only within the last year, has decided that a State has the 
right to protect its women from too long hours or from anything that 
increases the burdens of toil for her. The States as States have no 
right to protect the men. According to the Fourteenth Amendment of 
the Constitution of the United States, the State as such has no right to 
see that men shall not work for as long hours as they please; but the 
same court has decided that it has a right to protect the women and the 
children. 


REV. R. G. BOVILUE,- Secretary of the National Vacation Bible 
School Committee, New York: 

Mr. Moderator and brethren of this Council: Like yourselves, most 
of you at least, I am profoundly and to the very bottom of my life in 
sympathy with the spirit that finds its expression in the document which 
was submitted to you this afternoon. I believe that this movement to 
bring about a better understanding of society is one that is vital to 
the ministry of the Church if the Church is going to reach the vast mass 
of the men of this country, who are men of the working classes, men of 
the mechanic classes, who are men who are for the most part well edu- 
cated and self-respecting, who are thinking men and who are men worth 
having on the side of any movement that is bound to succeed. 


I believe it is suggested in these resolutions that something must 
be done by the theological seminaries before the pulpit of this country 
will get into vital touch with the laboring man, and that it is not 
enough to recommend, as is done here, that young men pursue sociolog- 
ical studies in the seminary, because a great many people can do that 
and preserve a very haughty and aristocratic attitude toward the actual 
facts of .life; but it is needed that young men in connection with our 
theological seminaries shall not be graduated before they haye put in 


= 


= 


REY. ALBERT G. LAWSON, D.D. REV. SAMUEL J. NICCOLLS, D.D. 


REY. WILLIAM JI. HAVEN, D.D. REV. E. S. TIPPLE, D.D. 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 73 


as part of their theological course an actual term of service in contact 
with the real needs of life as they find them in the congested communi- 
ties of our great cities. I believe practical education is what is needed, 
and not this dandified study of sociology by gentlemen who have never 
had their nostrils offended on the east side of any great city. 

Now something about the working-man. The working-man in the 
city in his relation to the Church is brought in contact with an economie 
difficulty. The working-man is working on a wage that runs anywhere 
from ten to twelve to twenty-five dollars a week. He has his family to 
support, and he has very little money to give to any cause after he has 
paid his dues in some benevolent society; and when he comes into the 
church he finds he cannot maintain his self-respect in the church unless 
he rents a pew and puts himself on the level with a pew-holder, and he 
refuses to be relegated to the three pews in the back of the church for 
which no rental is demanded. There is an economic difficulty attached 
to working-men in the Church, and the Church must handle that diffi- 
culty before it will have solved the problem of the working man. 

There is another difficulty with which the working-man is faced, the 
difficulty of the democratic temper of his age that he desires to have 
recognized. The working man knows perfectly well that in politics he 
is bossed. He knows that in politics he is simply manipulated by a 
number of gentlemen who make laws, and that whatever they say he has 
to accept. He knows, of course, he is bossed in the foundry; he knows 
he has to be bossed there and told by superior authority and by superior 
planning power what he is to do. But after he has been bossed on Mon- 
day, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, he does not 
care to go into a church where he knows he is going to be bossed as 
well, because he knows very well that there are such places on the face 
of the earth as churches where the average man has no more to say 
about the conduct of affairs than he has to say about the affairs of 
Great Britain and Ireland. He knows they are settled by the man that 
foots the bills, and he knows in many cases that the ministers and the 
managers have but little regard for the opinion of anybody except the 
man who is able to foot the bills. Now the working man knows that, and 
he knows that he wants to go to church, and he will come when he finds 
democratic conditions, and ministers that he knows will speak the voice 
of God whether it be in favor of labor or capital, or whatever it be in 
favor of. He wants to know that men say what they believe. 


REV. GEORGE COLBY CHASE, D.D., LL.D., President, Bates Col- 
lege, Lewiston, Me.: 

Mr. President, I am glad that the great predominant startling problem 
of practical Christianity to-day is getting its emphasis. The great, the 
conspicuous, the alarming, the almost paralyzing failure of the Church 
to carry the Gospel of love, hope and salvation to men who work with 
their hands, is the darkest, the most threatening, the most disastrous 
feature presented in what we call the Christianity of to-day. No one 


74 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


will dispute the fact. Is there an estrangement between the Church 
and the working people? We know there is such an estrangement. 
When I go to church Sunday morning, do I find my neighbors, the 
working-men, going along with me and pressing into the house of God? 
No; I see them congregating in the common, upon the park, going off 
upon excursions upon the railroad trains or the electrics. And what 
of the attitude of the Church? Are our hearts thrilled? Are we aroused 
as if by lightning from heaven as we witness these facts, or are we in- 
different? Men, brethren, we are called upon to act. 

Jesus Christ, in His initial sermon—at least the first sermon that is 
on record—put forward as His credentials the words from the prophet: 
‘<The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because he hath anointed me 
to preach the Gospel to the poor.’’ When John, in prison, and doubt- 
ing, as even that great herald and prophet came to doubt, whether the 
Messiah had actually come, sent two of his disciples to ask, ‘‘ Art thou 
he that should come, or look we for another?’’ The culmination of the 
answer, the climax to the eloquent period after ‘‘the deaf hear, the 
dumb speak, the lame walk, the dead are raised,’’ was ‘‘and the poor 
have the Gospel preached to them.’’ Brethren, what are our credentials? 
Are our credentials those presented by our great Master? 

It is not in the province of the committee of which I am a member 
and for which I speak to outline all the methods by which we shall do 
our duty to those whom Jesus Christ did not indeed love more than he 
loved other men, but to whom He gave His first service. It is our duty 
first to awaken to the need, first to have the spirit and the purpose, and 
if we are really the body of Christ and possessed by His spirit, then 
that inventive, that fertile, that all-resourceful spirit will bring to us 
the means of reaching the end. It is a mistake to bring forward what 
the brother who last spoke brought forward, the implication or the 
statement that this committee has recommended that there be a com- 
mission to gather statistics. Look the report over and you will not 
find that. Brethren, either the Church of Christ, as we term it, as we 
arrogate the title to ourselves will be superseded or it will be regen- 
erated in this respect. I do not believe it will be superseded, but I do 
believe it will be regenerated. 


REV. J. L. WEAVER, D.D., President of Westminster College, 
Denver, Colo.: 

Brethren, there are some of us here that have been pastors for fif- 
teea, for twenty, for twenty-five years, and I ask you is there a man 
here that does not preach every Sabbath almost of his life to as large 
a proportion of laboring men as he does to any other class in the com- 
munity? JI believe that we are wrong when we make light of the 
Church with regard to its relation with the working-man. I labored as 

my predecessor, Dr. Lee, labored, in a city where the large body of the 
' citizens are laboring people, and yet in the church to which perhaps the 
most wealthy people went. But this was a fact in that church, in 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 15 


Pueblo, Colo., that there never was a time when from fifty-five to fifty- 
seven and a higher per cent. of that church membership and attendance 
were not laboring people—people I mean that made their living with 
their hands rather than with their heads. They were not professional 
men; they were not men that were managing capital. Now I say this; 
the best thing in the world that we have to-day is the Church of Jesus 
Christ, and let us not allow it to go out before the world that we be- 
lieve, with all her failures, that she has entirely failed with regard to 
this. I say, if we are to make a specially of laborers, let us make a 
specialty of bankers. If we are to make a specialty of one class of 
people, let us make a specialty of other classes of people. The thing 
is this—and I hope this Federal Council will do it—that we will say 
that we have a Gospel for all, and that we will do our part, and I am 
sure the laboring people will come in with the rest. 


REV. HERVEY WOOD, New York: JI am very much interested in 
this paper for a variety of reasons. The young man who is looking 
in your faces to-night began working for his bread on the first day of 
June, 1851. I know something about working-men. I know something 
of the labor problem. It has been my privilege to be the pastor of 
laboring or working people wherever I have served as pastor in the last 
twenty years; and I want to say to you, brethren, that there is a 
very hard feeling among the ranks of the working men, against certain 
classes in the Church, because they believe the Church has no use for 
them because they have not got the money to pay the pew rents, ete. 


I want to say this to you, that I have been in trades’ unions, and I 
know what I am talking about, and I bless God for trades’ unions. 
Now you may not agree with me, because you do not know all about 
them, but those are my views. If you knew trades’ unions, some of 
them, as I do, you would not feel so badly towards them. The work- 
ing men have had to unite and to organize for self-protection. They 
have had to organize and prepare for sickness and old age and their 
families and for being out of work. I could give you a description in 
three minutes of an organization that every man here would endorse if 
he knew all about it. But what I am after is this, that the Church of 
the Lord Jesus Christ should let the working men know that we are 
interested in their salvation. I want to-say to you that the working- 
men do not want any charity; they do not want to be patronized by you 
either. They know the difference between ice water and the water of 
salvation, and they do not want any patting on the back. Treat the 
working-man as a man. I am so glad that my Saviour was a working- 
man. I hope that this resolution will go through and that the working- 
men will know of it. I have the pleasure of being acquainted with 
Dr. North. I hope that this thing will go through and will be published 
broadcast, that the Church of the Living God takes an interest in the 
working-man. I know there are people in this land, and there were in 
the Jand where I was born, that are just mean enough to work their 


76 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


children to get money out of them when they ought to be in the 
schools. I hope that this child labor question will be pushed to the 
front, and that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ will let the working- 
people know where they are. 


Dr. North, in closing the debate, said: 


I have no defense for the paper, but I wish to make this personal re- 
mark. I am prepared, if there are defects in it, and you see proper to 
adopt it, to accept the responsibility of those defects. If you should 
adopt it and in any way it should come to be the expression of your con- 
viction, it should be understood that it has come out of the confer- 
ence with many men, men in the universities, men in the field of union 
labor, men in the pastorates, laymen in responsible positions, employers, 
and that all the service the chairman has been able to render has been 
somehow to bring together for your use the result of these conferences 
and, as I have thought it to be, the summing up of what was the consen- 
sus of judgment on the part of men of all these various classes. If I 
could publish the correspondence which for four months has been upon 
my table I am sure it would be an illumination even to this Federal 
Council. The Committee has also studied with care the action taken at 
the Lambeth Conference, the Congregational Council, the General Con- 
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Unions for Social Ser- 
vice in England and the United States, and similar bodies, and in pre- 
senting its report and resolutions desires to acknowledge its obligations 
to them for the valuable suggestions which have come from these utter- 
ances. 


On the motion of the Rev. A. B. Leonard, D.D., the Execu- 
tive Committee was instructed to publish the report and state- 
ment of the Committee on the Church and Modern Industry, 
“*so that it will be spread abroad throughout the country in 
the widest possible manner.’’ 

Mr. Alfred R. Kimball, the Treasurer, offered the following 
resolutions, which were adopted: 


Resolved, That the fiscal year of the Federal Council of the Churches 
of Christ in America shall be the calendar year, the first commencing on 
January 1, 1909. 

Resolved, That the Treasurer of this Council is authorized to re- 
ceive on January 1, 1909, from the Treasurer of the ‘‘ National Federa- 
tion of Churches and Christian Workers’’ all the accounts and financial 
records of the said ‘‘ National Federation of Churches and Christian 
Workers,’’ together with any cash balance on hand, and any evidences 
of subscriptions to Federation work payable after that date, and this 
Council hereby assumes any unpaid obligations of the ‘‘ National Fed- 
eration of Churches and Christian Workers’’ which may be outstanding 
on that date. 


MINUTES OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. aL 


A motion offered by Rev. W. I. Haven, D.D., referring to 
biennial sessions, was referred to the Business Committee. 

The following report was submitted by the Rev. William 
Henry Roberts, D.D., Chairman of the Business Committee: 


The Business Committee respectfully reports as follows: 

1. It is recommended that the proposed amendment to the Plan of 
Federation, Article V, dealing with the representation in the Council of 
local and other Federations, be not approved. 

2. It is recommended that Resolutions concerning the erection of a 
Social Service Department, and a paper from the Board of Telegraphers, 
be referred to the Committee on Modern Industry. _ 

3. It is recommended that a communication from the New York 
Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends on the subject of Temperance 
be referred to the Committee on Temperance. 

Respectfully submitted, 
Wma. H. RosBerts, Chairman. 


The meeting adjourned. 


Friday Evening. 


Simultaneous popular meetings on ‘‘United Home Mission 
and Evangelistic Work,’’ were held in Witherspoon Hall and 
the Holy Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church. (See pages 
380-418.) Addresses were given by President Harry Pratt 
Judson, of the University of Chicago; the Rev. Charles L. 
Goodell, pastor of the Calvary Methodist’ Episcopal Church 
of Manhattan, New York; the Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman, D.D., 
Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian General Assem- 
bly’s Committee on Evangelistic Work; Bishop Ethelbert 
Talbott, of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Central Penn- 
sylvania, and the Rev. Charles L. Thompson, D.D., Secretary 
of the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church, 
Lo. Ac 


78 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


SATURDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 5. 
Witherspoon Hall. 


The Rev. J. 8S. Kieffer, D.D.. President of the General Synod 
of the Reformed Church in the United States, presided. At 
the devotional service, the Scripture lesson was read by the 
Rev. A. 8. Shelley, pastor of the Mennonite Church, Bally, 


Pa., and prayer was offered by the Rev. A. G. Mason, of New 
York. 


The Minutes of the Council for Friday were read and ap- 
proved. 


The Committee on Business offered the following report, 
which was adopted: 


1. In the matter of the incorporation of the Couneil it is recom- 
mended that no action be taken at present, and that the subject of the 
method by which bequests, legacies and funds may he held, be referred 
to the Executive Committee, with power. 


2. A communication from the Anti-Saloon League has been carefully 
considered, and the following reply is submitted for approval. 

Your Committee on Business, having carefully considered the com- 
munication addressed.to the Council by the Anti-Saloon League of 
America, through its Headquarters Committee, signed by Howard H. 
Russell, chairman, and 8. E. Nicholson, secretary, requesting that this 
Council take action looking to an investigation of certain alleged charges 
against the said League and its officers, hereby declare it to be their 
opinion that this Council is without jurisdiction in the premises, and we 
accordingly recommend that the communication be respectfully returned. 


3. The Committee carefully considered the matter of biennial sessions. 
referred to it, and recommends that such sessions cannot be held in view 
of the fact that the Constitution provides for quadrennial meetings; but 
it is recommended that the Executive Committee be advised in the pro- 
visions to be made by it for annual meetings, to make such meetings 
representative of all the interests of the Council. 


4. The following rule of the Council is submitted: 


Resolved, That the Council receive communications only from dele- 
gates or denominational bodies, and not from individuals or bodies out- 
side the Council. 

Respectfully submitted, 


Wo. H. RoBerts, Chairman. 


=~ ec ~e= 


MINUTES OF SATURDAY MORNING. 79 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION THROUGH THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL 


The report of the Committee on Religious Instruction 
through the Sunday-school was presented by Mr. William N. 
Hartshorn, Chairman, of Boston, Mass. (See page 244.) 

_ In presenting the resolutions Mr. Hartshorn said: 


I feel quite at home in an interdenominational congregation. I won- 
der how many have read the committee’s report? (A few hands raised.) 
Well, you have something good before you, and I pray you will read it, 
not for my sake, but for what it may suggest. 

In Boston Monday night there will be a meeting of more than one 
thousand teachers, pastors and superintendents. The purpose of that 
meeting is to help train and prepare the teachers for the work they 
have to do. We are to present a thousand copies of this book, ‘‘ Train- 
ing the Teachers.’’ When these thousand copies are in a thousand 
homes in the city of Boston there will be better teaching in the Sunday- 
schools. 

The Sunday-school is one of the Bible studying and teaching services 
of the church. It is the power-house of the church. ‘‘It is the most 
productive enterprise and finest asset in the possession of the church.’’ 
A recent writer has declared that, ‘‘ Ninety-five per cent. of the preach- 
ers, eighty-five per cent. of converts, and ninety-five per cent. of the 
church workers are in the Sunday-school or come out from the Sunday- 
school, and that seventy-five per cent. of the churches organized to-day 
were first organized as Sunday-schools. A Sunday-school in Connecticut 
at its fiftieth anniversary reported that from that school and church 
had gone forth twenty-six missionaries and ministers, and that corre- 
sponding progress had been made in religious work. 

Now I want to read to you—and it is possibly fortunate that you 
have not read this before—a paragraph or two beginning on page 155 of 
the Gray book: 

““The Sunday-school forces have everything in common. The spirit, 
that of Christ—the purpose, co-operative,—not competitive. The world 
around, the Sunday-school deals with the same conditions, confronts 
the same evils, teaches the same Bible, proclaims the same Gospel, wor- 
ships the same God, accepts the same Christ. There is, then, good 


' sense and a holy purpose, and Heaven’s approval in the township and 


city Sunday-school associations—also in the State, International and 
World’s Conventions and Associations. 

‘““Thus organized,—the strength, the wisdom, and the experience of 
all workers, and of all conventions, become the heritage of every school, 
however isolated or discouraged. It is as though the best were gathered 
from all denominations from all the world, into one reservoir, and from 
thence, through the pipe of organization, conveyed to the Sunday- 
schools in every land where the religion of Jesus Christ is taught. . 

“*The forces that have contributed to produce these results are edu- 


80 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


cational and spiritual, wisely blended. Paramount among these forces is 
the International Uniform Lesson System. This system provides the same 
theme in the same book, for the study of the same truth, under the 
guidance of the same Spirit on the same day, throughout the whole 
world. The existing organization of the Sunday-school forces of the 
world, to-day, is the highest expression, in action, of the declared pur- 
pose of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America.’’ 

If there were time I would tell you about the five great conventions 
that have been gathered throughout the world in the interest of the 
Sunday-school,—the World’s Convention in London, in 1889; in St. 
Louis, in 1893; again in London, in 1898; in Jerusalem in 1904, and 
in Rome, in 1907. The World’s Sixth Convention is to be held in Wash- 
ington, D. C., in May, 1910. 

Let me refer to just one thing that occurred at the great convention 
in Jerusalem, when Dr. Bailey and a score of others like him were 
present. The tent was pitched just outside the city wall, almost in the 
shadow of Calvary, and near to the Garden Tomb. A little beyond was 
Gethsemane, and yonder was the Ascension Hill. On that Sunday, in 
the opening session of the convention, there were on the platform repre- 
sentatives from twenty-six countries and more than thirty denominations. 
There stood among us the Samaritan high priest Jacob, son of Aaron, 
from his home in Nabulus, the site of ancient Shechem, clad in his 
priestly robes, representing a little remnant of less than two hundred 
of this Ancient people. He presented an address of welcome to the 
Sunday-school forces of the world. He gave it in his own language. 
When it was finished a man approached the platform and said: ‘‘ May 
I have the honor as a converted Jew, to interpret to this audience the 
words of welcome just addressed to the Christians from all the nations 
of the world by the Samaritan high priest?’’? In the light of this 
incident read the story recorded in the fourteenth chapter of John. 

Let us consider the resolutions: 

‘¢1. That the Sunday-school is one of the Bible Studying and Teach- 
ing Services of the Church. 

‘<2. That the purpose of the Sunday-school is to teach religious truth 
through the Bible—to lead the pupils to accept Jesus Christ as their 
Saviour—then to Church Membership, then the formation and develop- 
ment of Christian character, resulting in their entrance into the activi- ~ 
ties of the Church. 

‘*3. That the need of the Sunday-school is trained and equipped 
teachers; that the chief teacher and trainer of the teacher is the pas- 
tor; and the chief trainer of the pastor is the theological seminary— 
hence we most cordially approve and urge as an example worthy to be 
universally followed the action of the Southern Baptist Theological 
Seminary, which for two years has maintained a chair of ‘‘Sunday- 
School Pedagogy,’’ occupied by a Sunday-school expert; and we re- 
joice further that forty-two theological seminaries in America are giving 


JOSEPH W. MAUCK, LL.D. 
REV. J. S. KIEFFER, D.D. 


REV. WILLIAM H. BLACK, D.D. REV. O. W. POWERS, D.D. 


MINUTES OF SATURDAY MORNING. 81 


some time each year to the training of their students for the Sunday- 
school department of church work.’’ 

The Newton Theological Institution, near Boston, the Hartford Theo- 
logical Seminary, at Hartford, Conn., and the Boston University School 
of Theology, this winter, are including in their curriculum courses of 
lectures, along the line of Sunday-school pedagogy and work. 

4. ‘That we approve the holding of teacher training conferences, 
similar to the one convened in Philadelphia, in January, 1908, over - 
which Professor Martin G. Brumbaugh of Philadelphia presided, and 
forty leaders from ten denominations were present. This conference 
standardized the work of teacher training—provided for the issuing of 
state and international certificates, and fixed the minimum of fifty 
lessons and the maximum of a hundred lessons in the courses to be 
studied. Already, more than one hundred thousand Sabbath-school 
teachers in America are now taking some one of the courses prepared by 
the different denominations. 

**5. That we regard the Sunday-school as ‘‘the most productive en- 
terprise and the finest asset in the possession of the Church’’—the great- 
est missionary and temperance teaching organization within the Church; 
therefore we urge the closest possible relationship of the pastor to the 
teaching and other activities of the Sunday-school. 


‘6. That we recommend to the lesson committee, denominational les- 
son editors, and the various publishers, the consideration of a plan 
whereby there shall be selected and put into convenient and attractive 
form for the use in every home within the constituency of all our 
churches, a group of Bible Texts numbering, perhaps, 150 to 250, em- 
bracing the Choicest selections from the Old and New Testaments; in 
order that it shall be easy for the home to teach these selected verses 
to the members of the family at such an age as‘memory will commit and 
retain this Scripture during an entire lifetime. Christ’s method of 
meeting temptation and argument and giving instruction by quoting 
from the Old Testament Scriptures is the best Illustration of the use 
that both young and old can make of the possession of such portions of 
God’s Word.’’ 

May I say this selection is entirely separate and apart from the 
memory texts or any portion of the Scripture that is printed in our 
International Lesson Leaflets. May I say that I doubt if you have an 
adequate conception of the quantity of literature that is printed by our 
denominational houses. In a letter received from the secretary of one . 
of these denominational publishing houses, only a few days ago, he said: 
““We have more than two millions of capital invested in the printing 
and distributing of Sunday-school literature. We employ more than 
four hundred people in this department of our work. We have six edi- 
tors and scores of sub-editors and contributors; we have one hundred 
and sixteen bound books that relate to the conduct of the Sunday-school; 
and we issue more than’ fifty-nine million pieces of Sunday-school liter- 


82 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


ature in a single year.’’ Thirty-five years ago there was nothing of 
this kind in any of the denominations worth mentioning. To-day the 
total output of Sunday-school literature in the world by the publishers, 
is more than one-half billion copies. I wonder if there is not too much. 

‘<7, That the existing organization of the Sunday-school forces of the 
world to-day is the highest expression, in action, of the declared purpose 
of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ.in America. 

“<8. That the Sunday-school leaders in the city, town, county, state, 
international and the world organizations are among the most loyal 
members of the denomination to which they belong.’’ 

I hold in my hand a book of more than 700 pages, with 400 illustra- 
tions, with more than 125 contributors, and of which 20,000 copies have 
been printed. It is the story of ‘‘The Development of the Sunday- 
School,’’ from Robert Raikes and his little class gathered from ‘‘ Sooty 
Alley’’ and taught by three or four poor women at a shilling a day 
down, to the present time. I wish to place in the hands of every 
member of this Council a copy of this book, free, with the love and 
good wishes of the Executive Committee of the International Sunday- 
School Association. All I ask is that you will write your name and 
postoffice address on a slip of paper and see that it gets into my 
hands in some way, and you will receive a copy by mail postpaid. 


After a discussion in which the- following took part: The 
Rev. H. W. Barnes, D. D., Bishop Thomas B. Neely, D.D., 
President George E. Reed, D.D., the Rev. W. H. Boocock, and | 
the: Chairman, the resolutions appended were adopted. (See 
page 252.) 


The following is a summary of the discussion : 


REV. H. W. BARNES, D.D., Associate Secretary, Baptist Missionary 
Convention of the State of New York, Binghamton, N. Y.: < 

Brother Moderator and brethren of this wonderful, progressive and so 
far effective and significant conference of the Council: I think we 
have touched bed rock this morning on the great interests that concern 
us as men, to say nothing of those interests that specially concern us as 
Christians. There is but one great permanent interest in this world 
for anybody, Christian or un-Christian, and that is the making of men 
in the likeness of Jesus Christ, in moral character and habit of action. 
Everything else terminates yonder when we say: ‘‘dust to dust, ashes to 
ashes, earth to earth.’’ The most important result of business and edu- 
cation and teaching and all sorts of culture are in the effect which the 
business, the education, the teaching and the culture have upon this one 
thing, the making of men Christ-like. 

We find this one statement in the Scriptures that is full of illuminating 
and impressive truth to me, namely, that Christ may become the life 
of men as certainly as the pippin tree that stands yonder may become 


MINUTES OF SATURDAY MORNING. 83 


the life of that bad apple tree standing there. But it does not become 
the life of that tree by exhortation, by command, by punishment, but 
only by engrafting; and we are to lay aside all the filthiness and super- 
fluity and naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word. 
‘* As many as received Him,’’ not a theory, but Him, Christ, ‘‘to them 
gave He power to become the sons of God.’’? The Scriptures are full 
of such teaching. Now I learned when I was a boy in the midst of 
farming life the exceedingly haggard look of a tree that had grown to be 
twenty-five years old before it was engrafted, and beside that I learned 
the beauty of a tree that was inoculated with a bud well down toward the 
ground when it was only two years old; and all we had to do to con- 
vert the entire top growth of that tree was to put that bud in, and when 
it had grown to take the life of the root, cut off the rest of the tree 
above. 

_ Now this work with children, evangelistic work with children, that is, 
the teacher teaching not for the sake of giving out information, but for 
the sake of implanting truth in the understanding that may be used in 
bringing the heart to an acceptance of Christ and obedience to Him, that 
is what I mean by evangelization in the Sunday-school; and if we can 
bring our churches in their membership, in their teaching force, in their 
pastoral conception, to this idea of the work and to a faithful prose- 
cution of it, we shall reach the very point we desire to reach. 

I will not hold you longer than to say this one word, that Jesus 
Christ places the children for religious purposes at the very top of the 
ladder of humanity: ‘‘Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven,’’ and He 
says to us below here: ‘‘ You have got to become like them;’’ that is, 
you who have been sinners have got to come to stand again at the 
threshold of a new life as they are standing at the threshold of their 
life, if you enter into the kingdom of God. Of others He says: ‘‘No 
man cometh unto the Father but by me.’’ Get as high as you will, you 
will never get up a sinner again to the place where the children stand 
until you preach that through the Lord Jesus Christ through regenera- 
tion. 


BISHOP THOMAS B. NEELY: Mr. Chairman, in the main I ap- 
prove very heartily of the resolutions proposed. They emphasized, how- 
ever, the Sunday-school as a distinct organization perhaps a little more 
than is necessary. The very first resolution says it is ‘‘The Bible- 
studying and teaching-service of the church.’’? There is nothing said 
about the preaching service. That is a Bible studying service; it is a 
teaching service. The preacher is a teacher. And it seems to me that 
the resolutions might be strengthened by putting in some qualification 
calling attention to the importance of the preaching service as a teach- 
ing service of the church. Now I am not prepared to say that it is 
the Bible studying and the teaching service of the church. I am will- 
ing to say that the Sunday-school is an important Bible studying de- 
partment of the church, an important teaching service of the church, 


84 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


but not that it is the Bible service of the church. There is an exhorta- 
tion in the resolutions to the pastor that he shall take a very direct 
part in the Sunday-school, and I approve of that with all my heart, but 
the resolutions would do a better work if they would say something to 
the Sunday-school about the preaching service. 

The unfortunate thing is that the Sunday-school has been run for 
many years as though it were a distinct department and it is some- 
times spoken of as the children’s church. It is not the children’s 
church; it is for the adults as well as for the children. But the preach- 
ing service is not an adults’ service; it is for the children as well as 
for the adults. And I wish our good friend, Dr. Hartshorn, would 
frame a resolution urging the attendance of every Sunday-school scholar 
upon the preaching service of the church. Many people are training 
their children to go to Sunday-school and not to the preaching service, 
and when they do that they are training those children to stay away 
from the regular church services. If they grow up with no habit of 
attendance upon the preaching service, when they get to that age when 
they think they may well leave the Sunday-school, they have no habit 
that calls them to the church service, and they slip away from the 
church. Let us save our children to the church by training them to 
go to the church services. Then we shall have better churches, and in 
turn we shall have better Sunday-schools. 

I would further say that if I could not have the children at both 
services, and there must be a choice, I would say let them attend the 
preaching service rather than the Sunday-school, and I say that after 
years of work in the Sunday-school, a work with which some of you are 
familiar. 


MR. HARTSHORN: Please keep in mind that we are instructed, re- 
ligious ‘‘instruction’’ through the Sunday-school, and so the committee’s 
appeal was that we need the further co-operation, more intimate and 
strenuous effort of the pastors, that we may do this work better. 


PRESIDENT REED, of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa.: 

I believe the entire report is before the Council, and not any par- 
ticular resolution or recommendation, so what I will have to say will 
be in the line of a general remark. A great deal of emphasis has been 
laid in recent years, and laid by the chairman of this committee, in his 
excellent address, upon the vast, voluminous Sunday-school literature 
which is being poured out upon the church. I have this word of eriti- 
cism to offer. I have been impressed profoundly with the lamentable 
ignorance of vast numbers of members of the Sunday-school with re- 
spect to the Word of God, the absolute and lamentable ignorance not- 
withstanding the voluminous helps which have been provided, especially 
during these past twenty-five years. 

I happen to be the president of one of the institutions of this country 
and of this State. I have had occasion to discover even among men who 
are in college, supposed to represent something of the culture of the 


MINUTES OF SATURDAY MORNING. 85 


churches as well as of the schools, the gross and almost shocking ig- 
norance of the Word of God as a whole on the part of a large proportion 
of them. Their knowledge is most general and vague and lacking in 
specific direction. JI have been, as you all have, in prayer meetings 
without end where a sort of test has been applied of the extent of Bib- 
li¢al knowledge, and have been surprised at the inability of Christian 
men and women there represented, who have been for years in the 
ehurch and supposedly engaged in Bible study, of passages of the 
Word of God. You ean limit the whole range to a hundred or more 
that can be secured in an average meeting. And these are indications 
of the fact that notwithstanding all the emphasis that has been placed 
on Bible study in recent years, and this vast army of men engaged in 
Sunday-school work as teachers, we do not seem to have succeeded as 
yet in putting into the minds of the vast numbers at least of the Sun- 
day-schools any accurate or extensive knowledge of the Word of God. 
My judgment is that it would be a splendid thing if we should throw 
out about two-thirds of all the helps that are provided, and the lesson 
leaves that are provided, and get back to the Bible itself, the Word of 
God as a whole, in the hands of the scholars in the Sunday-school. 

I remember when I was a boy, before any lesson helps were in- 
vented, that it was not an infrequent thing in that little country Sun-. 
day-school upon the hills of Maine for the boys and girls there to be 
able to quote chapter after chapter, sometimes an entire book of the 
New Testament. They had the whole Bible in, their hands, not frag- 
ments isolated from the Book as a whole and studied oftentimes with- 
out continuity; and I believe it would be a splendid thing if this Coun- 
cil should encourage by the Sunday-school scholars the possession of 
copies of the Word of God. Bring the whole Bible to Sunday-school for 
study. Then we might avoid at least some of the ignorance that now 
prevails notwithstanding our so-called advanced methods of instruction. 
Everything that is new is not good. Some of these advanced methods of 
instruction seem to me will not stand the test of usage. 


REV. WILLIAM H. BOOCOCK, pastor First Reformed Church, Ba- 
yonne, N. J.: 

I am deeply impressed with the importance of the Sunday-school and 
also of the Young People’s Society, and of magnifying at this junc- 
ture of the Church’s life and history the educational work in the Church. 
I speak with great deference with reference to a phase that has been 
expressed by one or two brethren, but I feel there is no danger at the 
present time of under-emphasizing the preaching of the church, but I 
think there is vast danger of failing to understand the significance and 
value of thorough-going educational work among the rising generation. 
I believe that the Christian Church has relatively neglected the important 
work of true moral and religious education as represented in the Sun- 
day-school and the Young People’s Societies and it is only just now that 


86 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


attention is being called to that important work in a way that it seems 
to merit. 


I notice in reading these resolutions, sir, that great emphasis is placed 
upon teacher training. I believe that is most important. I would like 
to endorse every word that is said as to the importance of teacher train- 
ing. But I find no word in these resolutions in regard to the import- 
ance of grading in the Sunday-school, of the grading of material and 
the grading of scholars, which is absolutely necessary to a true educa- 
tional work. I want, sir, to make three points. I want to say that I 
believe that pastors of large churches who are seeking for associates 
or assistants cannot do wiser than to secure someone who is a trained 
religious educator and to put that person in charge of the Sunday- 
school and the young people’s societies. Let him grade first the school 
on a psychological basis. Let him grade the material. Let him train 
the teachers. Let him organize the young people’s societies and make 
them effective in the lines of work that he desires them to pursue. I 
fancy that it would help the church and help the minister much more 
than by having an assistant who is called to do part of the work the 
pastor does. There are often difficulties there. Sometimes they want 
the assistant more than they want the pastor, sometimes the pastor 
more than his assistant, and there are sometimes difficulties. But there 
would be no difficulty if the associate had a distinct part of the work. 


The second thing I wish to say is that I think the young people’s 
societies ought to be correlated with the Sunday-school and graded as 
the Sunday-school is graded. For instance, the junior department of 
the Sunday-school would be the junior society; the intermediate, the 
intermediate society; and the senior department the senior society; and 
you could have your Sunday-school meet twice a week if you wished. I 
would make the Sunday-school the school of instruction, the young peo- 
ple’s societies the school of practice, and I would make them training 
schools in Christian service. I know a church where that is done; and 

‘the one thought kept to the front in all the young people’s societies is, 

how can we be of the utmost use? and they are advanced in the so- 
cieties through the various grades until they graduate into the adult 
life of the church. The adult department is the church studying, the 
adult society is the church working; and preparation for an intelli- 
gent and efficient service in the adult life of the church is made by 
the training received in the Sunday-school and the societies. 

And I want to say this, that I believe the federated churches of a 
town or a city have a responsibility for the moral and religious educa- 
tion of that whole city. Why may it not be possible for churches some 
day to have university extension or seminary extension in the city where 
they live? The great majority of our church members are ignorant of 
the Christian heritage, the splendid heritage of church history, the heri- 
tage of Christian ethics. I venture to say that they are ignorant of that 
great heritage, and what institution shall supply this if not the Christian 


MINUTES OF SATURDAY MORNING. 87 


Church, and I think that here is a great field for the federated churches 
of a locality to occupy and a great work for them to do. May I submit 
this resolution? I would like to present this for the sake of the dis- 
cussion of this phase of Sunday-school work. I am not sure whether you 
will favor it or not, but I venture to submit it. 


‘«That we heartily approve the adoption of a graded system of 
Sunday-schools, a system which shall grade the pupils according to psy- 
chological periods, and according to the teaching material, so that it 
shall be adapted to the dominant interests of a child at a specific 
period.’’ 


MR. HARTSHORN: Mr. Chairman, inasmuch as a very good address 
was given just now showing the necessity of grading in the Sunday- 
schools may I read from this report. I would be very glad to have that 
embodied in the resolutions, if you please; but, brethren, frankly I 
thought that this audience had so acquainted itself with the onward 
march of the Sunday-school movement that they knew there was a 
graded course of lessons already provided. You see one argument why 
I want you closer in the Sunday-schools was so that you may lead us 
and we may follow with you. Now let me read: 


‘‘There gathered in Boston in January, 1908, three score representa- 
tive leaders in the Sunday-school work of North America, and they spent 
two days in session. They reached this conclusion, reported their find- 
ings to the Louisville convention in June last, and this is their de- 
liverance: ‘With this endorsement, the 1900 delegates to the Twelfth 
International Sunday-school Convention in Louisville, Ky., June 20, 1908, 
unanimously approved the findings of the Boston Conference,—affirmed 
the necessity of continuing the Lesson System,’ ‘which is rooted in the 
affection of many millions of people,’ and instructed the lesson com- 
mittee ‘to continue the preparation of a thoroughly graded course of 
lessons which may be used by any Sunday-school which desires it, either 
in whole or in part.’ 

“*As a result of this action...there will be available, beginning with 
the autumn of 1909, a carefully graded course of lessons prepared under 
the auspices of the International Lesson Committee. This course will 
offer two year’s special work for the Beginners already in use, a three- 
years’ Primary course, and a four-years’ Junior course, to be followed 
later by Intermediate and Senior courses, which will complete a graded 
curriculum for the Sunday-school.’’ 


THE CHURCH AND THE IMMIGRANT PROBLEM 


The report of the Committee on the Church and the Immi- 
grant Problem was presented in the absence of the Chairman 
by the Rev. Rockwell Harmon Potter, D.D., of Hartford, 
Conn. (See page 254.) 


88 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


In offering the resolutions, Dr. Potter said: 


I owe the privilege of reading these resolutions to a fact to which I 
owe many a privilege, namely, my being a neighbor and friend of Dr. 
Dayis, who drafted the report which is presented in the pamphlet and 
who made the first draft of the resolutions which I am to present. It 
is my regret, as it is his, that imperative pastoral duties have prevented 
his being here at this time. You will find the report upon page eighty- 
five in the Gray Book, where you will find also a picture of Dr. Davis, 
from which you will get more inspiration than from the presence of a 
man who reads his words. 

The first resolution has to do with the attitude of the churches towards 
the question which is assigned to this committee. It deals with the tem- 
per of the man in the street and affirms what we confidently believe to 
be true of the attitude and feeling and passion of the Church of Christ 
in this great matter. 

‘“Whereas, There has been within recent years a radical change in 
the source and character of- the immigration to America;’’? (which 
change you may find described in the report) ‘‘and 

‘‘Whereas, There is in the popular mind a prevalent temper of dis- 
paragement of these strangers which ill consists with the spirit and teach- 
ing of Jesus concerning human brotherhood. 

Resolved, That the Federal Council urge upon the churches that they 
recognize in the problem of the religious care of the immigrant an un- 
precedented opportunity and a paramount obligation, and that they 
undertake this service wherever possible in the spirit of Christ.’’ 

The second resolution has to do with agencies already at work. This 
committee find in reviewing the subject assigned to them that a number 
of organizations have already felt this responsibility, have seen this 
opportunity, and have entered this open door. 

‘«Whereas, It appears from a survey of the work now being done for 
the religious care of the immigrants by the evangelical churches of the 
United States that certain agencies of an interdenominational character 
are already at work in the field, as, for example, the American Bible 
Society, the several State Bible Societies, the American Tract Society, 
and the Young Men’s Christian Association; be it 

Resolved, That the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in 
America that we hope for a wider use of these agencies on the part of 
federated or denominational bodies and commend them to the churches 
for support.’’ 

The third resolution has to do with a matter of supreme importance, 
inasmuch as the possession of a common tongue is essential to an ef- 
fective work among any people, and inasmuch as the service of educa- 
tors in our public schools has in many an instance risen beyond the ser- 
vice of a hireling and entered into the range of true sacrificial service. 

‘‘Recognizing the fact that the possession of a common language is 


REV. RCCKWELL H. POTTER, D.D. PROF. E. A. STEINER. 


REY. ROBERT G. BOVILLE. REV. ALFRED W. ANTHONY, D.D. 


MINUTES OF SATURDAY MORNING. 89 


the most essential factor in successful preaching and worship, the Fed- 
eral Council hereby 

Resolves, That we urge upon the churches a keener appreciation of 
the work of the public schools, particularly through their evening ses- 
sions, in teaching the newcomers English, and call the attention of the 
"churches to the opportunity for similar service in connection with their 
Sunday-school and church work.’’ 

The fourth resolution has to do more directly with what is possible 
to a federated movement. 


‘<Tnasmuch as work for the religious care of the immigrants must de- 
pend for its success and permanence upon accurate knowledge of the 
local conditions under which such work must be done, and this informa- 
tion can be secured most economically by the joint action of the churches 
of a city or neighborhood. 

Therefore, the Federal Council calls to the attention of the churches 
in every city and district the necessity for federated action in obtain- 
ing facts concerning their several fields of service, and devising the best 
methods and agents to be employed in undertaking the service in any 
case.’? 

The fifth resolution has to do with the duty of the individual church. 

‘<Tn view of the changed conditions of a great majority of our par- 

ishes and the coming into them of great numbers of foreign-speaking 
immigrants; therefore, 
' Resolved, That the Federal Council urge upon the churches wherever 
possible the inauguration of work for the religion care of these people 
in their own buildings, and through the agency of their own volunteer or 
paid workers.’’ 

And the sixth resolution has to do with the matter which is most dis- 
tinetly and directly the province of the Council and advice of this body. 

‘Whereas, There exists in the present opportunity for the religious 
care of immigrants by the churches of the United States a unique de- 
mand for federated endeavor within certain limits; and 

Whereas, It does not appear that the undertaking of definite mission- 
ary work for these people by federation is in general expedient (and a 
discussion of that proposition you will find in the report) ; be it 

Resolved, By the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in Amer- 
ica that we urge upon the churches that local federations, in district, 
city or state, survey the field, study conditions and plan the work to be 
undertaken, leaving its prosecution to the church or denomination as- 
signed to the particular service, the Federation standing ready with 
counsel and encouragement to bring such denominational endeavor to the 
full measure of efficiency.’’ 

I am very glad that Mr. Stelzle has been asked to speak on this 
question, also that Dr. Steiner, one of the committee, is present and may 
also speak the mind of the committee concerning the resolutions. I 
would move, sir, the adoption of the resolutions. 


90 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


In the discussion which followed parts were taken by the 
Rev. Charles Stelzle, the Rev. Hervey Wood, the Rev. Howard 
B. Grose, D.D., Prof. E. A. Steiner, the Rey. C. Cort, the 
Rey. W. I. Haven, D.D., the Rev. S. M. Forrest, the Rev. Joel 
S. Ives, the Rev. Levi Gilbert, D.D., the Rev. F. G. Kircher, 
and the acting chairman. Mr. Stelzle, who is the superintend- 
ent of the Department of Immigration of the Presbyterian 
Church in the U. S. A., spoke by invitation of the Council, 
saying in his address: 


Mr. Chairman: I am sure that every man here can remember a com- 
pany of praying women in his church who for many years asked God 
that the door to the foreigner might be opened, that we as a church 
might bring to them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God has answered that 
prayer. The door has been opened, but it swings both ways. Not only 
may we bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the foreigner, but he is 
coming to us bringing his problems with him; and if there is any po- 
tency in prayer these millions of foreigners are coming to our country 
because we have asked God to send them. I am quite sure that we did 
not expect God to answer our prayer in just that way, but sometimes 
God has a way of answering our prayer which is not quite in accord 
with our wishes.. Nevertheless they are here, and because we as a 
church for many generations have asked for the privilege of bringing 
the Gospel to them, it seems to me that we dare not shirk this obliga- 
tion nor evade the answer to the prayer which God has given to us. 


But how are we meeting it? Within recent years, forty Protestant 
churches—somebody said eighty—forty Protestant churches below 
Twentieth Street in New York City moved out, while three hundred thou- 
sand people moved in. Practically all of them are foreigners, we are - 
told; and the argument is sometimes made that because they are for- 
eigners our English speaking churches are justified in moving to the up- 
town districts. I heard not so long ago of a church that sold its prop- 
erty because there were too many foreigners in the neighborhood, and 
then they sent the money to the board of foreign missions. 


If I were not engaged in city work, I would become a foreign mis- 
sionary. My wife is a volunteer to the foreign field, and she is ready 
to go. But it seems to me that since God in His providence has sent the 
foreigner to our very doors, He has given us a commission to evangelize 
him, and it will be only as the Church is willing to lose her life that she 
will find it again among the masses of the people. There is a single 
district on the East Side of New York in which there are seventy thou- 
sand people living and only one Protestant church, on the very out- ~ 
skirts. That church happens to be a Methodist church. But if such 
a condition prevailed in one of our western states, seventy thousand 
people and not a Protestant church,—and I believe there is not a Cath- 


MINUTES OF SATURDAY MORNING. 91° 


olic church there either,—every home missionary society in America 
would send a score of missionaries to that State immediately. 


Our custom is, ordinarily, in these downtown districts, to establish a 
mission on a side street, in a dark, dingy, dirty building, and then put 
in charge of that mission a man to whom we will pay about six hun- 
dred dollars a year, or a woman if she will work for less, and then we 
expect that man to solve problems that would stagger many six-thousand- 
dollar men, and then we wonder why we are not getting at the city 
problem with reference to the immigrant, and we wonder why these 
immigrants, coming from countries where they have been worshipping 
in the most beautiful cathedrals that have ever been built, will not enter 
our dirty mission halls. We cannot rival the cathedrals of Europe, but 
we can at least give them clean, decent meeting places in which to wor- 
ship God. 

But the one thing of which I would like to speak more particularly 
is the need for trained workers. We believe, most of us, that a theolog- 
ical seminary student or a superannuated preacher, or a man who has 
failed to make good in a residence-neighborhood church, are the kind 
of people that we ought to send to these fields. But may I tell you 
something about the kind of people that we are dealing with? It is 
supposed by large numbers of American citizens that these foreigners 
are the scum of the earth, that they are the criminal classes of Europe, 
that they are the paupers of the nation, that they are the sickly people 
of the world. The other day Commissioner Watchorn read a paper at 
the Anti-tubereulosis Conference held in Washington and he made this 
statement. He said that he had investigated two million cases of 
people who came to Ellis Island during a certain period, and of that 
number only two hundred and eight were found to be affected with any 
kind of tuberculosis. If that were true with reference to American 
born citizens, tuberculosis would hold no dread for our nation. In the 
State of New York there are two million depositors in our savings 
banks. The money deposited by these people would wipe out the in- 
debtedness of the United States and there would be eighty-seven million 
dollars to spare. Somebody who knows recently said that seventy per 
cent. of these two million people are ‘‘ foreigners. ’’ 

Take the matter of education. The United States census of 1900 said 
that the children of foreign born parents in the United States took ad- 
vantage of the school facilities to a greater extent than was found to 
be the case with native born children. Take the matter of illiteracy. 
According to the census returns of the United States, seven and one- 
third per cent. of our population are illiterate; that is, those over ten 
years of age. Now, listen. Five and seven-tenths per cent. of these 
were of native white parents, while of those of foreign parentage only 
one and six-tenths per cent. were counted as illiterates. I tell you they 
have got us on the run, and these are the men and the women and the 


92 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


children who are looked down upon by vast numbers of American born 
citizens. . 

I referred a moment ago to the large number of churches that are 
leaving the lower end of New York. But while our Protestant churches 
are deserting the down town fields of our large cities Socialism is com- 
ing in. You go to the East Side of New York, and you will find upon 
many street corners bob-tailed carts from which the Socialists are 
preaching their doctrines in almost every known language, and the peo- 
ple are listening to them and they are accepting the doctrines of So- 
cialism,—and not the kind of Socialism that you men eall ‘‘ Christian 
Socialism’’ either. It is the worst kind of revolutionary Socialism. 

I was talking at one of our western colleges a little while ago. There 
were about three hundred students in the audience, and when I got 
through I invited questions. Some of the most pointed questions that 
were asked me were put by a young woman in the rear of the crowd. 
After the meeting she told me something about herself. She said that 
she was a Jewess, that she was a Socialist, and that she had come to 
this college to get a four-years training. She was then in the third year, 
and she declared that when she got through she was going back to her 

sweat shop people in Chicago, from whom she had come, to tell them 

that in Socialism, and in Socialism alone, was their salvation. The 
men and women who are teaching this kind of Soclalism to the emmi- 
grants on the East Side of New York and in other down-town sections 
are prepared to give reason for the hope that is within them, and you 
preachers and others cannot simply say: ‘‘Let Socialism alone, be- 
cause it is an awful thing’’—you must be prepared to tell them why it 
is an awful thing. 

Commissioner Watchorn said the other day that the Italians, the 
Slavs, and the rest of them that were coming over to-day would make 
the English and the Scotch and the German look like thirty cents, if 
they are given half a chance. Because of the intelligence of these 
people, and because of the doctrines contrary to our American institu- 
tions which are being taught them, for these reasons, Mr. Chairman, I 
believe that our churches should send the very best men that we have 
got into our down town districts, that we as a Church may master the 
situation in our great centers of population. 


After a brief address by the Rev. Hervey Wood, of New 
York, the Rev. Howard B. Grose, D.D., Editorial Secretary of 
the American Baptist Home Missionary Society, moved that 
Prof. E. A. Steiner, of Grinnell College, in Iowa, a member of 
the Committee, be invited to speak for ten minutes. The mo- 
tion prevailed, and in his address Prof. Steiner said: 


Mr. Chairman and members of the Federal Council: I very reluc- 
tantly accept this cordial invitation, because I am one of those who feel 
very deeply the things which belong to the Kingdom, and on my shoul- 


MINUTES OF SATURDAY MORNING. 93 


ders rests very lightly the things which belong to the denominations. I 
feel all this so deeply that I am afraid that before I get through you 
will wish that I had not begun. ; 

One of the most hopeful things in this whole federated movement 
is the fact that our Home Mission secretaries are sick of the smallness 
and the narrowness of their job, and they have got together and are 
looking at large things. I used to think that federation would be pos- 
sible only after we had some very important funerals in the churches. 
I still think that it could stand a few. I am acquainted with the move- 
ment somewhat, and let me say here publicly that the denominational 
secretaries with whom I am acquainted are as a rule large men, and I 
wish that the Baptists and the Presbyterians and the Congregationalists 
could call their Home Missionary secretaries bishops, for they deserve 
it in the truest sense of the word. 

I want to say a few words on the resolutions. I do not believe that 
the character of the immigration of the present time is so different as 
we imagine from that which we had twenty-five or thirty years ago. 
It has been my privilege to be on the trail of the immigrant for twenty- 
five years. I know something of the Irish immigrant. I saw him 
squatting up on the rocks of Manhattan Island. I know something of 
him as he moved on westward, with the pick in hand, working upon the 
railroad. I know something of the Poles, and of the Slovak people, of 
the Italians, and the Magyars, and I know something about you. 
Now I thoroughly believe that the best man in the world is the Anglo- 
Saxon man—but when you consider the opportunities you people have 
had you are not half as good as you ought to be. 


It has been my privilege to know intimately that woman who has 
moved to the edge of your town, that Slovak woman. I have seen her 
seamed face, her wrinkled forehead. JI know her thoroughly. I happen 
to know an American woman, the best woman in the whole world. I 
married her myself. Here is a woman who knows absolutely nothing 
of what we call our modern culture. She never reads the beauty page 
in the Sunday newspaper. She has absolutely no idea of the clubs,— 
a plain primitive woman. On the other side, the cultured American 
woman, the best woman in the world. But in all that which makes a 
woman a woman the two are essentially alike. In the heart of each 
the yearning motherhood, in the heart of each the brooding sisterhood, 
in the heart of each the yearning for her own redemption. I deny that 
there is any essential difference between the eastern or southeastern 
Huropean and the middle European or northern European, except as 
the climate and environment and the oppression of man has made or 
unmade that man. 

The other day, after Easter, I took a lily which I had bought for my 
wife—it had withered and grown yellow—I took the ugly thing and 
threw it into the back yard, and as I threw it the pot broke, and I saw 
a thousand little rootlets beating against the pot, hungry for air and 


94 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


moisture, and I planted that ugly thing in the soft and tender soil, 
where the morning sun could smile upon it, and the noonday sun not 
smite it, and the fairest thing which ever grew in the garden grew out 
of that despised and dried thing which had no chance to grow. All 
these people need is the full, free, fair chance that we have had. 


Now let me say another thing. It has been my privilege to be six 
months this last time again upon the trail of the immigrant. I have 
gone through every village from the southernmost point of Sicily to 
the northernmost point of the Baltic provinces. I have not found a 
single village where there was not some man or woman, or group of men 
and women, who have been in America. Talking about Foreign Missions, 
you sent out last year five hundred thousand foreign missionaries, who 
will preach your ill or your good, your salvation or your damnation, the 
world over. 


A gentleman over here on my left said that ninety-five per cent. of 
all liquor dealers are foreigners. It is true. But, brethren, what have 
you done thus far to enlighten the poor Pole or the poor Italian or 
the poor Slovak about the ills of drink? What have you done? How 
many of you have gone down as a brother to a brother and taken the 
drunken, stupid Slovak or Italian and made him feel that there is a 
safer and a sounder way than the way of alcohol? You say you can- 
not speak his language. You have learned a little Greek, and have 
forgotten it; you have learned a little Hebrew and haye forgotten it, 
and thank God, perchance, you have forgotten it. But why have you 
not learned a little bit of Italian, to say, ‘‘How do you do?’’ to that 
Italian in his own tongue? Why have you not learned a little bit of 
Polish? Not so hard as it looks. The boys I have over there in three 
months have learned enough to speak to the common people; and if 
you will take some time away from your ancient commentaries, from 
Abraham and Isaac and Jacob of the past, and get down to Abraham, 
Isaac and Jacob of the present, they will respond. Nowhere in our 
land is there a group of people which has been touched by our eyan- 
gelical fervor as you will find in Poland to-day, as you will find in the 
mountains of the Carpathians to-day. The first great temperance move- 
ment started in Hungary among the Slavic people, was started by re- 
turned immigrants. JI have spoken to a congregation of five hundred 
people in the villages of Hungary, redeemed people, converted people- 
through and through, converted to cleanliness, to sobriety, to treating 
their wives decently, converted to a new life, many of them started 
upon their upward way by a returned immigrant who happened to come 
to Torrington, Conn., a drunken, stupid, Slovak blacksmith—whom some 
Christian man or woman took to some Protestant church and interpreted 
to him the riches of our Gospel. Do the same thing and you will not 
need any foreign missionaries among them, and perchance indeed, some 
less over on the other side. 


I ask for the outgoing of your love to those people, for a real hon- 


MINUTES. OF SATURDAY MORNING. 95 


est spirit of fellowship to manifest itself as you deal with them. This 
matter of immigration is not a thing of the city of New York, or of 
the State of Pennsylvania, or of the United States. It is a matter of 
the Kingdom of God, and in your hands, brethren, are the issues of 
the Kingdom, now as they never were before. 


The Rev. Levi Gilbert, D.D., of Cincinnati, followed Prof. 
Steiner and said: 


Just a word as to my conviction, that seems to lie along the line of 
the very purpose of this Federation; and that is, when we are attempt- 
ing to do religious work among the immigrants and the foreigners, we 
should take the very broadest definitions of which religious work is 
capable. I think that too many of us in the past have started out too 
strictly upuon denominational and sectarian lines to work for the immi- 
grant, and we think we want to carry our own tenets and our own doc- 
trines down into our mission halls and impose them there upon the 
immigrant, and our success be measured by whether we were able to 
bring them over as converts to our own opinions. 


Only the other day, in a ministerial meeting where the question of so- 
cial service and the broader interpretations of the church had been put 
before the ministers, one man got up—a presiding elder, I regret to 
say—and said: 

‘*What is the use? These men are foreigners and not related to us. 
These men are not of our religion, and we cannot make them over into 
Methodists, and, therefore, why waste your time upon them?’’ And 
I am afraid that he expressed an opinion which sometimes finds lodging 
in some hearts. I Go not suppose, my brothers, that there is much 
chance of making over a Russian Jew immediately into a Christian, and 
much less chance of making him over into a Baptist or a Presbyterian 
or a Methodist, and if we start out on that line we are foredoomed to 
failure. But these men and women are human and they are our broth- 
ers, and we want to start out upon the broad line of Christ, to minister 
to them, to lift them up into the upper scale of being, to make them 
free citizens of a free country, and we want to make life tolerable and 
comfortable and beautiful and advantageous to them, and along the 
broad lines that whatever concerns humanity is religious, upon that 
line we want to go to work and not upon any mere narrow and sectarian 
line. 

And I want to say too to my brothers of the Press and elsewhere 
that we must pay a larger and a more intelligent attention to the 
socialistic movement in this country. It is going to spread here just as 
it has over in England. There the papers are full of it. It would seem 
as if the religious papers have gone over to Socialism. To-day, in 
London, men calling themselves ‘‘the hungry marchers’’ are going 
through the strects and besieging the very gates of Parliament. There 
some of their labor agitators are saying if they do not get bread let 


96 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


them shoot men down and get it, and dangerous doctrines are being 
promulgated. Up in Scotland a procession came to the municipal author- 
ities and very courteously, through their representative, made their 
statements, and the head of the municipality was deeply affected and 
said, ‘‘We must do something.’’ The man said: 

““We have nothing to say in criticism of the Government; we have 
nothing to say against the city of Glasgow; but we are starving and 
must have bread.’’? Brethren, the time is coming when the plea of 
decent men who are out of work shall find a respynsive chord in the 
hearts of all Christians, and I say that here in th» United States we 
must pay attention to it; and if Socialism be not tre right track, then 
we must show the way out; you must show the right method, we must 
show the solution of this great problem that is agiating us. 

The other day I attended a gathering and listened to a paper an hour 
long in which was discussed the various decisions of the State and the 
National courts, and I said: ‘‘ After all, judge, you haven’t told us the 


way out.’’ There is no way out except the Christian way, when men 


shall get to love each other and walk according to the Golden Rule; and 
I want to have that spirit of fraternity to the great mass of men that 
are pouring in upon us and listening to these seductive doctrines of so- 
cialism, some of them verging toward anarchy. Let us give them the 
true doctrine of Jesus Christ upon the broad lines, divested of all sec- 
tarianism, and shot through and through with the very spirit and mind 
and heart of Jesus Christ and of brotherhood as expressed in service to 
Him. 


REV. JOEL 8. IVES, D.D.: There seems to have been a large for- 
eign arrival of business that does not pertain to the question at hand, 
but when the matter of the relation of our churches to the immigrants, 
to the alien arrival, which has been so large and up to the last few 
months a constantly increasing stream, is before us, I am impelled to 
say a word, for it has been my privilege during the last ten years, as 
secretary of the Home Missionary Society of Connecticut, to have a 
good deal to do with this work. We have been very glad to hear Pro- 
fessor Steiner once and again in our State, and while I cannot add any- 
thing to the picturesqueness of his appeal and of his statement, I am 
glad to have the opportunity to speak from the prosaic point of view of 
the every-day work which is possible for our missionary societies in 
America and in connection with this Federal Council and the movement 
toward the federation of our churches as it touches this immense alien 
arrival. 


In southern New England there is not an institution of any kind or 
description which can look forward into the future for growth and main- 
tenance unless that institution builds itself up out of this alien arrival 
material at our hands, and it is encouraging and hopeful that there has 
been such an accomplishment on the part of the various missionary or- 
ganizations of the various churches as they have put forth an endeavor 


REV. F. T. TAGG, D.D. REV. GEORGE W. RICHARDS, D.D. 


MR. W. C. STOEVER. REV. J. M. HUBBERT, D.D. 


MINUTES OF SATURDAY MORNING. 97 


in this line of work. Wherever there has been any organization, 
whether it be the union of the churches in a community or the union of 
the churches in some missionary board, or whether it be the work of the 
Daughters of the American Revolution, or some of the organized effort 
through educational lines in a community, wherever and however there 
has been an earnest effort to reach these people, that effort has been suc- 
cessful and the fruits of the effort abundantly justify any measure put 
forth in that respect. 

Let me call your attention just a moment to what we have been able 
to accomplish through the work of the Congregational churches in the 
little State of Connecticut. Of course we have been successful in bring- 
ing together the Swedish people and the Norwegian people, for they 
come out of their own country ready immediately to take up the work; 
but this newer arrival, as Professor Steiner says, is just the same. It 
is just the same except that it presents to us a very different material 
with which to work, and as I beheve this is the correct principle we 
have endeavored along that same line, the plain and simple presenta- 
tion of the Gospel, to reach the Italian and the Hungarian and the peo- 
ple of every nationality that have swarmed in upon us from southern 
Europe, until Massachusetts is to-day the most foreign State in the 
Union, and southern New England has cities within it where if you walk 
the streets of that city, between eight and nine people out of every 
ten that you meet on the street are foreign birth or of foreign pa- 
rentage. 

And I want to say that the work that has been done by the Baptist 
people and the Methodist people, and by our own people, in reaching 
the Italians, for example, has abundantly justified the efforts that are 
put forth. In the little State of Connecticut I have no doubt there are 
something over five hundred Italians who are members of different evan- 
gelical churches. 

Now just a word in regard to what was said in regard to denomina- 
tional work. I am glad to say that the ideal thing would be, for ex- 
ample, the Italian Church of Christ in any community; but we have 
got to take matters as they are and do the best that we can, and it 
seems as if the next best thing along federation would be that where 
in a given city the Baptists have undertaken work, let the others keep 
hands off; and another city, if the Methodists are doing work, the same 
way, and so through our federations, local and State federations, and in 
any way, by arrangement through the missionary societies. Let us as 
far as possible come to some arrangement by which the work shall be 
done as far as possible by a single denomination in a single locality. 

We have in Hartford a very delightful Italian Congregational church 
of which a converted Roman Catholic priest is the pastor. He has 
married since he has been with us a German girl, and I had the great 
pleasure of baptizing a Yankee baby, and so the work moves on and 
we are looking forward to larger and better results. 


98 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


DR. HOWARD B. GROSE: I think we have decided by this time, 
brethren, that this is a burning question. It is a living question. I 
should like, if I might, to contribute a single thought which has been 
borne in upon me as the result of the study of this question for the 
last five years, and that is, that as yet our pastors have not become alive 
to the urgency of this question, and that if ever we are to solve this 
tremendous issue it must be done primarily through the local pastor and 
the local church. We may do it through organizations. We never 
can reach the seat of this great difficulty which confronts us, for it is 
a difficulty. You_may be as optimistic as you please, and I agree with 
all that Professor Steiner has said about the character of the immigra- 
tion that is coming, yet, brethren, it is un-American. They come to us, 
these people, with their splendid possibilities of character, but they 
come from countries which know nothing of our ideals or our institu- 
tions, and we have got to begin at the bottom with them and Americanize 
them, and the Americanization of the alien is essential for the preserva- 
tion of American ideals and institutions, and when you get to the bat- 
tom of it, you will find this to be true, that alien assimilation depends 
chiefly upon the American attitude. 

Now, brethren of the ministry, leaders of the denominations in this 
country, honestly go down into your own hearts and find out what is 
your own attitude towards the mass of the immigrants. They are 
here; we must evangelize them, and yet we have only played around the 
fringes of this great subject. Now, if you will begin a personal inyesti- 
gation, brother minister, of your locality and your own field, and find 
out for yourself what foreign element is there, and then see if you 
personally can do something to touch it, not first of all with the Gos- 
pel, but first of all with the gospel of humanity, if you will bring your 
self into a kindly attitude of spirit and then a kindly relationship with 
some body in that immigrant population that is around your church, if 
you will arouse your young people to see what they can do to touch 
humanely and helpfully this element, then you will begin in my judg- 
ment at the right point. Never shall we succeed until we come to feel 
that every pastor and every member of every church must have a per- 
sonal interest in this work, and it must be of the evangelistic type. 


REV. W. I. HAVEN, D.D., Secretary American Bible Society, New 
York: 

I do not come, brethren, to add to the eloquence to bear upon this 
momentous subject, but simply to bear testimony to_a few facts that 
might not come under your observation if I did not present them, and 
- I presume it is my duty to bring them to your attention. A few years 
ago this incoming tribe of people brought to our Society a great respon- 
sibility, and I only speak to you this morning that you may know that 
we stand by your side ready to help you as your hearts are moved by 
this eloquence. 

Last year there were established seven great domestic agencies, cover- 


a 


MINUTES OF SATURDAY MORNING. 99 


ing over thirty-two States of the Union, under the auspices of the 
American Bible Society, which represents, if anythiug in the world 
represents, a federated purpose and method of reaching these people. 
Those seven agencies employed last year forty-three workers, nearly 
every one of them trained in the speech of some of these foreign peo- 
ple, so-called. That is, we had Slavic and Greek and Italian and Polish 
and Hungarian and Bohemian colporters moving about from state to 
state, and city to city, and village to village in over thirty states of this 
country. We appropriated for that work last year over fifty thousand 
dollars, a new program, in order to stand with the pastors in this coun- 
try in reaching these people; and we have not only done that, but we 
sent a workman over to the old country to go through all the principal 
cities and get acquainted as to the best editions and versions of the 
Scripture to meet the needs of these people, and we have imported the 
Scriptures until we have had to enlarge our warehouses to take in the 
thousands and thousands of volumes that have come to us. 

Now we stand ready to put in your hands at the merest cost of 
production, and oftentimes at much less than that, for your mission- 
ary work, the gospels and the New Testament in over sixty-five lan- 
guages, and we stand ready to give you whole Bibles in many of these 
languages; and if there is anything we can do to help you go to these 
people with this simple message of the New Testament, we are with 
you, whatever may be your church, whatever may be your denomination, 
to be your fellow-laborer. And I want to say that if we cannot learn 
to speak their language, we can hand out to them the Gospel of our 
Lord Jesus Christ in their own tongue, and we can reach them and touch 
their hearts and open up the way of their coming into the churches. In 
one of these agencies alone last year more than five Christian churches 
were formed as a result of this simple colportage, and I listened to a 
gentleman yesterday who told me as he went about he knew of no more 
important work being done to make these people feel the welcome of 
this country than this work of giving to them the message of our Savior 
in their own language. 

Dr. Ives wishes me to speak of the parallel columns. That means we 
have eight or ten or a dozen copies of the New Testament in which 
the English is in one column and the foreign language is in another. 
We call them bilingual, and they help in reaching these people. 


The resolutions presented by Dr. Potter, the first draft of 
which had been made by the chairman of the committee, were 
then adopted. (See page 260.) . 

The Committee on Credentials reported in regard to an ap- 
plication for membership from the Schwenkfelder Church, 
and on motion of the Chairman, Dr. E. B. Sanford, the Rev. 
O. S. Kriebel, of Pennsburg, Pa., of the Schwenkfelder 
Church, was received as a corresponding member. 


100 PELDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


A GREETING TO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT 


It was voted that the President of the Federal Council be 
instructed to send the greetings of the Council to the Presi- 
dent of the United States. Bishop E. R. Hendrix, D.D., sub- 
sequently sent the following message to the President: 

The President, Washington: 

The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, represent- 
ing eighteen million communicants and fifty millions of population, send 
Christian greetings to our Chief Magistrate from the city where was 
held the Constitutional Convention presided over by Washington, which 
made possible our great and united Nation. 

EvucEeNé R. HENDRIX, President. 
December 5th. 

It was voted that when the Council adjourn it be to meet 

on Monday morning. 


SATURDAY EVENING. 
Witherspoon Hall. 


A popular meeting was held in the interest of Young Peo- 
ple’s Organizations. (See pages 419-441.) Addresses were 
made by Mr. Franklin Spencer Edmonds, Mr. W. N. Harts- 
horn, the Rev. George Elhott, D:D., the Rey. Paul S. Lein- 
bach, and the Rev. Charles R. Erdman. 


Sunday Afternoon, December 6. 


An interdenominational meeting in the interest of the sev- 
eral brotherhoods represented in the Council, was held in 
Witherspoon Hall. (See pages 462-480.) Bishop O. W. 
Whitaker, the Rev. William Henry Roberts, D.D., LL.D., and 
Mr. Nolan R. Best were the speakers. 

An interdenominational meeting in the imterest of The 
Church and Labor was held in the Lyric Theatre. (See pages 
442-461.) Mr. D. A. Hayes, Bishop E. R. Hendrix, and the 
Rey. Charles Stelzle spoke. 


MINUTES OF MONDAY MORNING. 101 


MONDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 7. 
Witherspoon Hall. 


The Rey. J. R. Howerton, D.D., Lexington, Va., former 
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, U. S., presided. The 
Seripture lesson was read by the Chairman, and prayer was 
offered by Rev. Joel S. Ives, Hartford, Conn. 

The Minutes of Saturday’s session were read and approved. 


The Business Committee reported through its Chairman as 
follows: 


The Business Committee respectfully reports upon the following mat- 
ters: 

1. That the following resolution be referred to the Committee on 
Family Life: 

Resolved, That a deliverance be made by the Council on the subject 
of the Uniform Divorce Bill, prepared by the National Divorce Con- 
gress. 

2. A communication has been received from the Inter-Church Tem- 
perance Conference, asking that it be made a department of the work 
of the Federal Council. The question is submitted to the Council as to 
whether this paper shall be referred to the Business Committee or the 
Temperance Committee. 

Respectfully submitted, 
Wm. H. RoBerts, Chairman. 


Resolution No. 1 was referred to the Committee on Family 
Life, and Resolution No. 2 was referred to the Business Com- 
mittee, which presented the following report upon it, which 
was adopted: 


The Council having referred the paper from the Inter-Church Tem- 
perance Conference to the Business Committee for consideration, the fol- 
lowing action is submitted: 


Resolved, That in the judgment of Council it is not best to establish 
departments of work such as are suggested in the paper from the Inter- 
Church Temperance Conference. 


Resolved, That the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in 
America rejoices in the fact that so many denominations have appointed 
official Temperance agencies, approves of their co-operation one with 
another, and expresses the hope that all other bodies represented in 


102 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


this Federal Council may take such action as to them may seem wise in 
support of Temperance Reform. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Wma. H. Roserts, Chairman. 


It was moved by the Rev. E. B. Sanford, D.D., that a com- 
mittee of five be appointed by the chairman to prepare resolu- 
tions of thanks. The motion was adopted and the following 
committee appointed: The Rev. J. H. Garrison, D.D., the 
Rev. Levi Gilbert, D.D., the Rev. Charles L. Thompson, D.D., 
the Rev. James L. Barton, D.D., and Mr. A. B. Pugh. 

The following resolution offered by Bishop Cranston was 
adopted : 


Resolved, That by the same method provided for the nomination of the 
Executive Committee there shall be nominated an alternate for each 
member named for said committee, and that the Executive Committee, in 
the absence of any principal, be authorized to recognize such alternate 
if present at any session of the committee. 


The following resolution was presented and adopted: 


Resolved, That the Recording Secretary be authorized to insert the 
name of Rev. Wm. H. Roberts, D.D., LL.D., the presiding officer at the 
opening sessions, as Acting President of this Council. 


SUNDAY OBSERVANCE 


The report of the Committee on Sunday Observance was 
presented by the chairman, the Rev. F. D. Power, D.D., of 
Washington, D. C. (See page 263.) 

In speaking on the resolutions, Dr. Power said: 


We would present certain resolutions, Mr. President and brethren of 
the Council. I greatly regret it seemed impossible to get a general meet- 
ing of the committee, but those of us who met to consider this question 
would present the following: 

‘¢1. It is the sense of the Council that a new and stronger emphasis 
should be given in the pulpit, the Sunday-school, and the home to the 
Scriptural observance of the first day of the week as the sacred day, 
the home day, the rest day for every man, woman and child. 

‘2. That all encroachments upon the claims and sanetities of the 
Lord’s Day should be stoutly resisted through the press, the Lord’s 
Day associations and alliances, and by such legislation as may be se- 
cured to protect and preserve this bulwark of our American Christianity. 

‘«Whereas, A convention has recently been held in the city of Pitts- 
burg, Pa., for the purpose of forming an organization which shall be 
nation-wide in its scope and shall concentrate the energy of all forces 


f 
| 
: 


MINUTES OF MONDAY MORNING. 103 


working for the preservation of the Lord’s Day as a day for rest and 
worship, and 

*« Whereas, The result of the convention has been effective steps in the 
organization of a Lord’s Day Alliance of the United States; therefore 
be it 

*“Resolved, That we rejoice in the prospect of unity of action among 
the various organizations striving in America for the preservation of the 
Lord’s Day as a day for rest and worship, as indicated by the organiza- 
tion of a Lord’s Day Alliance of the United States, not only unifying 
the forces.in this country, but bringing them into harmony with the or- 
ganizations of Canada, England, Scotland, Japan, and other countries 
which are organized under the same name. ‘ 

‘*Resolved, That we advise the constituent bodies of this Federal 
Council to appoint representatives to the Lord’s Day Alliance of the 
United States, and make that organization the arm of all the co-oper- 
ating forces for the above-named end.’’ 

Mr. President and brethren of the Council: We present this paper 
and resolutions without discussion. 


After discussion the report and resolutions were recommit- 
ted to the Committee which subsequently presented the follow- 
ing amended set of resolutions which were adopted: 

**]. Tt is the sense of the Council that a new and stronger emphasis 
should be given in the pulpit, the Sunday-school, and the home to the 
Seriptural observance of the first day of the week as the sacred day, 
the home day, the rest day for every man, woman and child. 

«2. That all encroachments upon the claims and the sanctities of the 
Lord’s Day should be stoutly resisted through the press, the Lord’s Day 
associations and alliances, and by such legislation as may be secured 
to protect and preserve this bulwark of our American Christianity. 

**3. Resolved, That we rejoice in the prospect of unity of action among 
the various organizations striving in Amertiea for the preservation of the 
Lord’s Day as a day for rest and worship.’’ 


Mr. Alfred R. Kimball, the Treasurer, made a statement re- 
specting subscriptions from the constituent bodies for the 
maintenance of the Federal Council. 


DISCUSSION ON TEMPERANCE 


The report of the Committee on Temperance was presented 
by the chairman, Bishop Luther B. Wilson, D.D., LL.D., of 
Philadelphia, Pa. (See page 267.) 

In introducing the resolutions Bishop Wilson said: 


So widespread are the evils of intemperance and so shameless the atti- 
tude of the traffic which has fostered them, that a statement of thenr 


104 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


seems unnecessary. It is sufficient to remind ourselves and those whom 
we address that almost every problem which has engaged or will engage 
the attention of this Federal Council is aggravated by this wrong. It 
has been and still is the most prolific cause of pauperism, ignorance and 
crime. And we are doubtless agreed in the conviction that it must be 
removed if we are to carry out our program in the redress of wrong, 
the relief of suffering, the composure of social unrest, the elevation and 
enrichment of life in this and other lands. ; 


As in respect of other questions, so of this, there has been of late a 
quickening of public conscience. In many places there has been de- 
veloped a spirit of unity which, disregarding minor differences as to 
method, has rallied influence and effort against the common foe to the 
great advance of private virtue and public morals. We rejoice in what 
has been done and recognize in the achievement which calls forth our 
gratitude the result not of one organization but of many organized 
movements, which, with more or less efficiency, have appealed to well- 
nigh every motive and have drawn upon all sources of power in further- 
ance of this great reform. While, however, we recognize the significant 
advance which has been accomplished, we note also that in many places 
there is little evidence of improvement, and even where most has been 
wrought, the advantage secured can only be safeguarded by further ag- 
gressive effort. It is well to remember also that in the very nature of 
the case every foot of advance henceforth will be contested with increas- 
ing desperation upon the part of the liquor power. 

So long as temperance was treated as an academic question and so 
long as effort was intermittent, or the temperance forces broken by ruin- 
ous contentions within the ranks, the enemy relying upon its safety could 
afford to answer the utterance of temperance sentiment with silent scorn 
or insolent defiance. But since the method of attack has been changed 
and the soliadrity of virtue and Christian faith has been more and more 
manifested in effort and result, the attitude of the foe has also changed; 
and since notice has been served that the saloon must really go, those 
to whom its going means financial loss have awakened to the imminence 
of danger, and it is to be expected that henceforth all will be done which 
may be done to prevent the threatened loss. This, then, is a day not for 
rest and complacent self-gratulation, not for divisive discussion, not for 
intolerant dictation. It is a time when the appeal must be to calm 
reason, the exhortation to unity of purpose, the choice of method being 
left to individual judgment, while certain great ends are held steadily 
in view. 

It would seem that in its declaration the Federal Council can place 
the standard for individual practice only at total abstinence. It will not 
follow that if such a standard be agreed upon any one of the constitu- 
ent members of the Council shall feel itself compelled to enforce adop- 
tion by harsh ecclesiastical method. We must recognize the fact that 
the social customs in all lands are not identical, and that there are doubt- 


MINUTES OF MONDAY MORNING. 105 


less differences in practice in respect of this among the bodies repre- 
sented here. But as the science of to-day is publishing its condemna- 
tion of even moderate drinking, the church can surely do no less, and as 
great corporations are demanding total abstinence of those whom they 
employ, we who are leaders of religious thought must lovingly yet fear- 
lessly insist upon the same as the law for the individual under the con- 
straint of loyalty to Him who died to redeem us and yearns to lift each 
one of us to the highest ethical level. Whether we speak to men in 
conspicuous or obscure place, whether to rich or to poor, let the pul- 
pits of a Federated Protestantism sound forth this note, the practice of 
the pulpit agreeing with its message, and there shall be begotten in many 
hearts such holy purpose as by the power of grace shall have its fruition 
in the transformation of the individual, the cheer of the home, the 
strengthening of the State, the adornment of the Church and the greater 
glory of God. ; 

If it be right to preach the Gospel of total abstinence for the in- 
dividual, so it must be right to include in our message every possible 
persuasive to total prohibition as the attitude of the State toward the 
traffic in strong drink. Conviction will differ as to the method of bring- 
ing about this result, but if we are agreed that the atmosphere of the 
State without the traffic would be kindlier to economic, intellectual, so- 
cial, moral and religious life, then let us publish this as our conviction. 
Let us utter boldly our persuasion that the Twentieth Century is not 
the age either for the saloon, which has been called the ‘‘ Poor Man’s 
Club,’’ or for the club, which in too many cases may be truthfully 
called *‘the Rich Man’s Saloon.’’ If the pulpit shall not attempt the 
task of defining the method by which this purpose may be wrought out, 
let it, nevertheless, reiterate its methods, placing the burden of its con- 
viction upon the hearts and consciences of those who hear. So doing, 
the Church shall surely send forth into the walks of life those who shall 
solve for humanity in America the greatest moral problem of our his- 
tory, and shall save us from the continued shame of seeing the coffers 
of state or corporation filled by a traffic which fosters and fattens on 
the vices of men, whether on the Congo or on the Delaware. 


Adopting, then, as its ultimate purpose the principle of total absti- 
nence as the rule for the individual, and prohibition as the rightful at- 
titude of State and Nation, as means toward these ends so closely re- 
lated, the Federal Council recommends first, the education of the young 
by the intelligent use of the temperance lessons in the Sunday-schools, 
and the introduction intd secular schools, of primary and secondary 
grades, of such text books as shall make plain the effect of alcoholic 
indulgence upon body and mind, and show clearly the effect of the traffic 
upon economic and social conditions, and the relation of the traflie to 
pauperism, ignorance and crime. We recommend also the dissemination 
_ of literature in all languages presenting the results of scientific in- 


106 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


vestigation, into all phases of the subject so that everywhere enlightened 
thought may be, and good citizenship be promoted. 

Second, it recommends the recognition and approval in commerce as 
in the affairs of State, of those who honor conscience by their refusal 
to have part in the offence of the liquor power. And likewise it recom- 
mends practical disapproval of those who, for selfish ends, lend their 
power of thought or wealth or public office to the defense or support 
of this iniquitous traffic, either at home. or in foreign lands. 

It recommends the encouragement of every organization or enter- 
prise which in any measure strengthens sentiment against the use and 
sale of alcohol as a beverage. 

It recommends the re-employment of the old methods of Gospel Tem- 
perance with the public and private declaration that men and women 
should be, and by the grace of God may be, delivered from the thrall of 
strong drink. 

It recommends a campaign of temperance pledge signing by young 
and old. 

It recommends the appeal to citizenship, that prohibitive laws already 
upon the statute books of the several States shall be enforced, and that 
as opportunity presents these shall be supplemented by more adequate 
provisions until the rule of the State shall be the standard of our con- 
viction. : 

And, further, it recommends, that the National Congress be urged 
so to frame its inter-State enactments as to avoid the nullification of 
temperance legislation in the several States. 


Brethren of the Federal Council, we plead not for a new note in our 
Gospel, but for a new accentuation of the old note. We plead with 
God that our eyes be opened, that our hands be strong, that our hearts 
be very courageous. We plead with the millions represented here that 
‘‘with malice toward none, but with charity toward all’? we may do 
the right in respect of ‘this ‘fas God gives us to see the right.’’ If a 
new measure of the Christ love shall fall upon us, if a new measure 
of divine power be given wus, we can bring in a better day. 
Brethren, in the name of God and humanity we must bring in that bet- 
ter day. 

As, long time ago, our fathers; delegates from the several colonies, 
dared to sign and send forth from this city their Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, refusing longer subjection to a throne which had abused their 
patience, so let us as delegates of the several churches send forth this 
Declaration of Right and Purpose, this compact, which shall be our 
pledge to each other and to God, to hasten as best we may the birth of 
a new liberty. It is not a new spirit which is needed, but a new mani- 
festation of the old spirit. 

By the inspiration of our common faith, by the blessed memory of 
those heroic souls who, under God, gave us what we have and made us 
what we are, by the manifest presence of Christ Jesus our Lord, who, 


MINUTES OF MONDAY MORNING. 107 


whether crowned with thorns or diademed with glory, is forever to our 
adoring hearts the King of Righteousness and Peace, God seems this day 
to be calling us, that in love each for the other, and under His guidance, 
we go forth to battle until death shall release us or the victory be won. 
And let us be confidently assured that if we be severally true to this 
declaration of high purpose, that day of victory cannot be long delayed. 


In the discussion which followed several delegates took 


_ part, among them the following: 


REV. FRANK D. PENNEY, Pastor First Baptist Church, Burlington, 


aS 


I rise, Mr. Chairman to express my belief that the report as read by 
the chairman has struck a higher position than any similar utterance 
that has ever been made in the memory of any of us. I am especially 
pleased because the report has been such as tends to unify our senti- 
ment and erystallize our conviction. I am glad that the report repre- 
sents and recognizes what has come to be true, that in States that were 
once prohibition but again went back to the license regime, we have 
after experience seen men of all grades of education and in every de- 
partment of industry and learning turn to the great sentiment that pro- 
hibition for the individual is the only wise and safe course, and that 
ultimately prohibition according to the statement of the resolution is the 
only wise and safe goal towards which we must walk. 

Tf you will pardon a personal word,—in the litile Siate of Vermont 
I have found men fifty years of age who had never seen a licensed sa- 
loon. I saw men who because of certain reasons, which I will not stop 
to state, thought it best to see the popular use of liquor tried. The 
result was that piliticians, ministers, laymen, men and women im every 
walk in life, have come to state definitely and with their warmest, pray- 
erful conviction that these two great principles are the only wise and 
safe ones to follow. 

REV. G. E. REED, D.D., President Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penna.: 

I wish to submit an amendment in the way of addition to the recom- 
mendations of the committee. It did not get before the committee in 
season to be considered. 

We commend the action of Congress for the abolition of the beer- 
selling canteen in our military establishment and in National Soldiers’ 
Homes, and also the appropriation to this date of nearly three millions 
of dollars for the erection, equipment and maintenance of recreation 
buildings for the benefit of the enlisted men; and we urge the member- 
bership of our churches throughout the country to resist the systematic 
efforts of the brewer to re-establish the official sale of liquors in these 
institutions.’ 

BISHOP CRANSTON: I was called out during the reading of the 
resolutions. I would like to ask if anything was said in the way of 
urging favorable action on the bill now before Congress on the better 


108 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


protection of the Indian Reservations. There is such a bill, and this 
would be a very opportune moment for this committee to make an ex- 
pression concerning it. 

BISHOP WILSON: Mr. Chairman, there is nothing. 

BISHOP CRANSTON: Then I recommend the reference of that 
inquiry to the Committee on Temperance. 

BISHOP WILSON: I am very sure that the committee will have no 
objection to inserting such a statement, and also in respect to the army 
canteen. I think I may speak for the committee as to those two fea- 
tures. If you agree upon them and Bishop Cranston’s motion, they can 
be inserted. 

BISHOP CRANSTON: My attention was called to this matter by 
correspondence from Arizona, and I was requested to bring it to the 
attention of the President. I had been absent from home, but I re- 
sponded to the request as soon as possible, and I received a letter which 
assured me that had the request been a little earlier, the matter would 
have gone into the message, which I presume has been sent to Congress, 
so there is no lack of sympathy. What I want now is to give this 
movement a push, and just as hard a push as we can, from this center. 


REV. WILLIAM HAYES WARD, D.D., LL.D., Editor of ‘‘The 
Independent,’’ New York: 

I want to raise the question whether in the recommendation to the 
legislation of Congress on interstate commerce there has been such 
careful consideration through legal advice of constitutional questions as 
would make that recommendation wise in the present form in which it is 
put. We know perfectly well that there has been a great deal of serious 
question as to that matter, and I should suggest that there be such 
an amendment, if it has not already been considered, by which we 
recommend such constitutional legislation as may, be proper in refer- 
ence to this subject. We all desire to have that interstate commerce 
come to an end, but we do not want to recommend any legislation which 
would be absolutely futile, because it will be sure to be put aside by the 
Supreme Court. 


MR. EDWIN S. WELLS, Lake Forest, Ill: 

A layman, and yet I feel a very deep interest in this subject. I have 
no claim, I have no title, I am not a reverend, and yet I have been 
an elder in the Presbyterian Church for almost fifty-six years. I am the 
oldest elder in the Chicago Presbytery, having been fifty-five years a 
continuous elder in that Presbytery, and I suppose I can say what very 
few men can say who hover about the four-score years, that I have never 
been permitted to taste a drop of intoxicating liquor in my life. When 
I was about six years of age, there was scarlet fever in my home, and 


I lay in my little crib, and my mother watched over me, and in the ; 


silence of the night, when she thought no eye was upon her but God’s 
eye, she lifted her voice in prayer over my little crib, and she thanked 
God that her boy was being restored, and she prayed God that her boy 


EE —— 


MINUTES OF MONDAY MORNING. 109 


might be saved from the doom of the drunkard. I heard that prayer. 
My mother did not know that I heard it, and I believe, if I shall be per- 
mitted to enter the courts of the eternal city and I see that mother, I 
will go over and put my arms about her neck and say: 

‘Mother, do you remember the prayer you offered when I was a lit- 
tle boy? I heard it; God heard it; and I have never been permitted 
to taste a drop of intoxicating liquor from that time.’’ 


I wish in this report there could be a recognition of the mother’s in- 
fluence, and I tell you, my dear brethren, if a mother can get an idea 
like that into the heart of her boy in the crib, you might just as well 
try to rub a star out of the sky as to rub such a principle as that out 
of the boy. 

I have been greatly interested in this report, and I hope it will pass, 
and that I shall live long enough to see the day when this terrible curse 
shall be removed from our beloved land. 

THE REV. FRANK MASON NORTH, D.D.,: 

I would like to ask whether we are to vote upon the adoption of the 
resolutions or upon the adoption of the report with the resolution? If 
the motion was for the resolutions, I would wish to move as a substitute 
that we adopt the report with the resolution. I think we wish to make 
that our own as well as the resolution. 


THE CHAIRMAN: The motion is to adopt the report and the reso- 
lutions. 


The report and the resolutions were then adopted unani- 
mously. (See page 272.) 


BISHOP WILSON: Mr. Chairman, with the consent of the other 
members of the committee, I should like to report and recommend the 
adoption of the addition as to the abolition of beer selling, of the can- 
teen, and as to the Indians, the following: 

‘«We commend the action of Congress for the abolition of the beer- 
selling canteen in our military establishment and in National Soldiers’ 
Homes, and also the appropriation to this date of nearly three mil- 
lions of dollars for the erection, equipment and maintenance of recre- 
tion buildings for the benefit of the enlisted men, and urge the member- 
ship of our churches throughout the country to resist the systematic 
efforts of the brewer to re-establish the official sale of liquors in these in- 
stitutions. i 

“‘We recommend such action by the State legislatures and by the 
National Congress as shall serve in the fullest sense to protect the In- 

dians against the evils of strong drink. 

If there is no objection upon the part of the committee, I would re- 
port these for favorable action. 

THE CHAIRMAN: Bishop Wilson reports the supplementary reso- 


110 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


lutions concerning the matters that have been referred to them by this 
body. It is moved that they be adopted. Are you ready for the ques- 
tion? , . 


For the Temperance resolutions as amended and adopted 
see page 272. . 
LOCAL FEDERATIONS 


In introducing the Rev. E. P. Ryland, of Los Angeles, Cal., 
Chairman of the Committee on Local Federations (see page 
274), Bishop Hendrix said: 

Brethren, this is where your whole work reaches a special culminat- 
ing point, in the matter of Local Federations. 


Mr. Ryland, who is president of the Church Federation of 
Los Angeles, made the following address in presenting the 
resolutions of the committee: 


If this Council is to be really effective, I venture to assert that its 
effectiveness will rest ultimately on the fact that the spirit of federa- 
tion has permeated the church membership of our country. The com- 
mon people, the average men and women of our churches, must be 
brought into sympathy with the federation idea—must have aroused 
within them a federation conscience. Only thus, I am persuaded, can 
our organizations be made most effective. Ultimately our great strength 
lies with the eighteen millions of men and women who compose our con- 
gregations. When they have a well-developed federation spirit, then this 
Council can speak on so great a question, for instance, as that of ‘‘ The 
Church and Modern Industry’’ and its voice will be the voice in very 
truth of a mighty host. In order to make the ‘‘Plan of Federation’’ 
effective, to create such a conscience among our people, it is of prime 
importance that local federation be organized in the cities especially of 
our country. The following questions then, begome pertinent: 

1. What is a local federation of churches? Brethren, I ask you to 
consider this statement: It is not a ministerial union. However neces- 
sary and very effective a ministerial union may sometimes be, that is 
not a federation of churches. Neither is it a self-constituted committee 
of individuals, however effective such a committee may be in accom- 
plishing certain desirable results. 

A Local Federation of Churches, as I conceive it to be, is composed 
of all the members of all the congregations that consent to become parts 
of such a federation. There is a congregational spirit that is neces- 
sary to the accomplishing of largest results as a congregation. There is 
a local denominational spirit that is necessary to the accomplishing of 
largest results locally as a denomination. There should be also a fed- 
eration spirit,—a distinct consciousness on the part of the churches of 
being members of the larger body of Christ in that community,—that is 


| 
. 
. 


Te | he 


MINUTES OF MONDAY MORNING. 111 


necessary to the accomplishing of results that are often beyond the 
power of any denomination to accomplish or that can be accomplished 
most effectively by the united Christian forces. 

2. Loeal organization and local work are the secrets of the life of such 
a federation. My first hand knowledge of local federations comes almost 
entirely from experience in my own city and hence the references that 
will be made to the work there. There we have gone forward with- 
out precedent, building our organization to suit local demands and yet 
embodying, I believe, in it what will doubtless be found necessary to 
all city federations. If you will permit me, I would like to state briefly 
our form of organization. 

We have a Local Federation Council, composed of all the pastors and 
at least one layman from each congregation, the larger congregations 
being represented by one layman for each three hundred members. The 
Council is thus composed of something over three hundred picked men. 
There are about one hundred and fifty churches in our Federation. The 
Couneil elects the officers of the Federation annually, and these officers 
nominate the chairmen of the standing committees and together with 
these chairman form the executive committee. The Council meets once 
a month; the executive committee meets once a week; the standing com- 
mittees are at the call of their respective chairmen; and at least once 
a year we have mass-meeting of the Federation. 

But involving as this does, an annual expense, a necessary annual ex- 
pense of about $1,800 for maintaining an office and a paid assistant, it 
must accomplish results that justifies its existence. What can such an 
organization accomplish in one of our modern American cities? I speak 
now from experience in Los Angeles. Brethren, the mere existence of 
such a Federation is a continual declaration to the world of the essential 
oneness of the evangelical churches of Christ in that city, a result in 
itself of no mean worth. We have never hesitated in our own city to 
declare our regard for denominationalism. I dare indulge the hope that 
the Church may never fail of profound gratitude for the inestimable 
labors of the men who have gone before us, the reformers before the 
Reformation, and those equally mighty leaders after the Reformation, 
who in their zeal for liberty created many divisions in the 
Church, but they have at once made it possible for us to seek true unity 
in the spirit of liberty and of love. 

But we have come to a time when the obligation seems to rest on us 
to declare throughout our American communities the essential oneness 
of the body of Christ. There are multitudes in our cities who are as 
indifferent to and as ignorant of the causes of division among us as 
are the men of China and of Korea. And they are often seemingly con- 
fused by these divisions. If we can effect the creating of a knowledge 
in a community that the churches of Christ absolutely are one, we have 
in that very thing accomplished that which will be of the very greatest 
value. 


1a FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


But there are other results that we have been enabled to accomplish 
in our city. Not only have we made declaration of our oneness, but on 
the streets of the city men of all denominations have preached the one 
Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. During the months of January and 
of June of the present year, at twelve points at the heart of our city, 
at noon, men representing the different denominations have spoken to 
vast audiences of their fellowmen and there has not been one discordant 
note. They have uniformly declared the essential fundamental truths 
of our Christian religion, and the result in our city has not only been 
in their method of declaring our oneness, but it has also been the bring- 
ing of something like six hundred or a thousand men to a public con- 
fession on the streets of the city of their acceptance of Jesus Christ as 
their divine Lord and Saviour. 

In the matter of Sabbath observance, in our State, California, there 
is no Sunday law. I think possibly that is the only State in the 
Union without a Sunday law. We are hoping that ere long our Legis- 
lature will pass such an enactment. We have some local laws governing 
the matter of the Sabbath that are little cared for and the churches 
are compelled to be persistently bringing to the attention of the people 
the fact that there is a Christian Sabbath. 

For instance, last spring, when our fleet that was making its way to- 
wards the waters of the East, was about to come into Port Los Angeles 
at San Pedro, two or three days before the fleet was to arrive there was 
sent broadcast advertisement of the fact that Sunday—the fleet was to 
arrive late Saturday evening—was to be the greatest holiday that we had 
ever had in California. It was the Sabbath day and it was the Haster 
Sabbath day, and that organization in that part of our State that made 
for unrighteousness was going to make capital out of the fact that there 
was to be a great naval parade for ten or twelve miles off Long Beach, 
and there was to be the converting of our Easter Sabbath into a day of 
desecration and, if many of the plans had been carried out, into a day 
of shame. There was no law to appeal to; there is no law in the 
State. There was not time to call a mass meeting of Christians. 

Our Church Federation Executive Committee met. Admiral Evans 
had gone to Paso Robles suffering from rheumatism, gone there to re- 
ceive treatment. We sent to him at once a telegram asking him respect- 
fully to countermand any order for the holding of such a nayal parade 
on the Sabbath day. We received a reply from his secretary that Ad- 
miral Evans was sick and could not be disturbed. We at once sent to 
him another very urgent telegram saying: 

‘«The Federated Churches of the City of Los Angeles do respectfully 
and earnestly ask you to countermand any order for the holding of a 
naval parade on the Easter Sabbath off the coast of Long Beach.’’ 

Admiral Evans at once sent us a reply and mailed to us a copy of 
his order to the fleet. He said: 


MINUTES OF MONDAY MORNING. 113 


“‘Tf the Federated Churches of Los Angeles demand that there be no 
such naval parade, then there shall not be a naval parade.’’ 

And they brought to bear, gentlemen, every influence possible to in- 
fluence him to withdraw that order, and absolutely the board of trade 
of one of the southern California cities sent a delegation to the Fed- 
erated Churches of Los Angeles to ask them if they would not withdraw 
their objection. But that sturdy old Admiral said, ‘‘There shall not be 
a parade,’’ and he stuck to it to the last. 

There is such a thing as our keeping in touch—and we do constantly 
keep in touch—with the city council. That has a little bit of worldli- 
ness about it. But, gentlemen, the forces of evil in our city know 
everything that is to be considered in our city council. There can 
come up no question but that the saloon men and the race track men 
and the gambling men know exactly what is to be considered, and we 
thought that, while it might have a tinge of worldliness, it would have a 
stronger tinge of common sense for the forces of righteousness to keep 
in constant touch with the city council of our city. And now there 
comes no question that involves public morals before the city council 
of Los Angeles but that the Executive Committee of the Church Fed- 
eration knows what it is to be and when it is to be considered. We 
have a lawyer, a professional Christian man and an able lawyer, who is 
willing to act as the chairman of our Civic Righteousness Committee, 
who in twenty-four hours—aye, in less time than that—can call together as 
representative a body of men as Los Angeles affords, to meet him at the 
city council and to demand that certain things shall be done or certain 
things shall not be done, as the case may be. 


We have in a small manner gone into that great question of the Church 
and Industry. It seems small after we have considered the great ques- 
tions here, and yet if a number of cities could accomplish as much it 
would be a very large result. For instance: The retail clerks of the 
city made an appeal to the Federated Churches asking that the almost 
inhuman custom of keeping the large stores of the city open on Saturday 
night until ten or eleven, or sometimes twelve o’clock, be done away 
with. It was with the extremest difficulty that we accomplished this. 
We had merchants, men of large ability and large affairs, who would 
act on our committee to see if it could be brought about, and at last 
we did succeed in having the department stores close at six o’clock on 
Saturday evening. That meant relief to about eight thousand young 
women and girls. 

After that had been in operation for about a year a new depart- 
ment store was started in the city, a small institution; but this institu- 
tion came out one morning with an advertisement that on the next 
Saturday it would keep open until ten or eleven o’clock at night. Our 
Church Federation at once sent a representative to the men who man- 
aged this store. They did not care for the churches. They did not care 
very much for the moral question involved. The only thing they seemed 


114 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


to consider was the matter of the proceeds, the gains to their business. 
Our representative went to them and laid the matter before them. They 
said: ‘‘Gentlemen, what congregation are you from?’’ And our rep- 
resentative said to them, ‘‘We are not from any congregation. We are 
from the federated congregations. One hundred and fifty churches, 
nearly forty thousand men, women and children in our city are demand- 
ing that you do not open your store on Saturday night, for that will 
mean the opening of all the other department stores,’’? and about the 
middle of the next week there came out in our daily papers a large 
advertisement or statement to the effect that this store would close: its 
doors at six o’clock on the next Saturday night. 


There is another work that we have accomplished in the investiga- 
tion of interdenominational enterprises. In our city, as in all cities, 
there are multitudes of projects that are asking to be presented to the 
congregations of the city that they may get the funds for the carrying 
of them into execution. We have gotten the churches to agree that they 
will not attend to the appeals of the men who bring such projects before 
them except they receive the endorsement of the Church Federation. 
That means a saving to the churches of a vast deal. We have gentle- 
men on that committee who will go to the very bottom of every question; 
it is a matter of conscience with them; and if an appeal is made to us 
for endorsement, these gentlemen go into its merits, and if we endorse 
any project it is very apt to meet with a hearty response from the peo- 
ple. If we fail to endorse it, it is very apt to receive no response what- 
ever. 

We are trying to work out the problem of dealing with the foreigners 
in our city from a missionary point of view. We want to change the 
custom of haying half a dozen churches doing missionary work among 
the Chinese, and, if possible, have it done in a more systematic manner, 
and in a manner that will approve itself more thoroughly to the busi- 
ness men of the world. Another matter is the locating of churches. 
We want if possible to influence the locating of new churches so that 
there shall not be an overlapping of territory, and there shall be a 
doing away with that unseemly rivalry between the denominations of 
the city. 

Bishop Wilson said that the club is ofttimes ‘‘the rich man’s saloon,’’ 
and yet, gentlemen, the club is part of the life of any city. We have a 
number of clubs in Los Angeles, elegantly appointed club rooms, but in 
every case there is at the heart of the club idea also the drinking idea. 
So much did that become apparent that recently our city attorney has 
seen fit to take away from the clubs of the city the right to dispense 
intoxicating liquors at all. But that practically removed the possibility 
of club life from a great many of the men in the city who needed, 
and who really desired to have, that kind of a life at the heart of the 
city, and it seemed to us possible that there could even be formed a 
Federation Club that could have just as elegant quarters as any other 


MINUTES OF MONDAY MORNING. 115 


club in the city, that could have as delightful a place for a gentleman 
to take his luncheon, or to bring his friends, or to have a meeting of 
a committee, as any other club in the city. We began on a small scale 
about three years ago. Recently we have found it necessary to enlarge 
our quarters, and we have purchased a lease for the top story and the 
roof garden of a new office building there, and we will have a club in 
Los Angeles that will be as delightful for its appointments as is any 
other club in the city, and, gentlemen, Christ is at the heart of it. You 
can go into the club, even as we had it on a small scale, at any noon 
hour in the week, and you will find there the meetings of committees 
from all denominations. It has proved to be a perfect beehive of 
church activity, so many of the business men who have large affairs 
resting upon them desire the noon hour for the time of transacting the 
business of the kingdom of Christ, and they come there in numbers 
from all the denominations in order that they may attend to this busi- 
ness that belongs so distinctly to the kingdom of our Lord. 

Because of the possibility of what a local federation of churches is, 
because of the possibility involved in it, we are asking you to adopt the 
resolutions that we have prepared. 

I have submitted these matters, brethren, from out of our experience. 
It is not a matter of what might be accomplished, nor I am not speak- 
ing of the dreams that I may have of the future. I have large thoughts 
for what can be accomplished through the Church Federation, but what 
I have said to you has been spoken from out of our experience. We 
have actually accomplished a vast deal in the city of Los Angeles, and 
we believe that in any city such results can be accomplished, and there- 
fore we ask you to adopt these resolutions. 


The discussion went over until the afternoon (See page 
130). 
Monday Afternoon. 


The Rey. S. C. Breyfogel, D.D., Reading, Pa., Bishop Evan- 
gelical Association, presided. The hymns, ‘‘Blest be the tie 
that binds,’’ and ‘‘Come Thou Almighty King,’’ were sung, 
after which President George E. Reed, of Dickinson College, 
Carlisle, Pa., offered prayer. 


WEEKDAY INSTRUCTION IN RELIGION. 


The report of the Committee on Week-Day Instruction in 
Religion for School Children was presented by the Rev. George 
U. Wenner, D.D., Chairman, of New York. (See page 278.) 

In the discussion of the resolutions Dr. Wenner said: 


Mr: President, This subject was referred to the Executive Committee 
of the Federal Council by the Interchurch Conference three years ago, 


116 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


and so far as I remember it is the only subject that has come to us from 
that Conference. 


Apparently it is a matter of having religious instruction on some other 
day than Sunday or besides Sunday; that is, having Sunday-school on 
some other day also; but in reality it is an appeal, in the first place, 
to the churches to resume their legitimate function of education, and, 
in the second place, a claim on the public school to recognize the right 
of churches to a certain proportion of time for the purpose of giving 
religious education; hence the emphasis of this subject is to be placed 
upon the duty and the right of the churches to give systematic religious 
instruction on weekdays. 

The importance of religious education need not be considered here, 
nor will any one question that theoretically it is the Church’s duty 
to give religious instruction. ‘‘ Teaching them to observe all things that 
I have commanded,’’ means simply teaching and training, which is a 
duty which has been imposed upon the Church by her Divine Master. 
But practically the Church has absolved herself of this duty. She has 
transferred the task—the Church in America—she has transferred her 
task to the Sunday-school. Now the value of the Sunday-school we all 
recognize. We would not diminish its activities for an instant, but the 
question is, is it an educational force as compared with the public 
schools, and does it reach all, so that the general feeling is that we can 
absolve ourselves of the duty of religious education by saying that the 
Sunday-school does it? 

And, again, we have depended to a certain extent upon the religious 
exercises of the public schools, but we know they are very limited in 
extent, consisting of the reading of a psalm and the reading of the 


Bible, ete. We would not do away with the religious exercises in the 


schools. The use of the Bible for certain purposes is entirely legitimate, 
although in other respects it might be questioned. Neither can we de- 
pend upon the ethical instruction in schools, to do right, to be obedient 
to your parents, the value of an oath, kindness to animals and all those 
things. There is no reason why ethical instruction should not be given 
to a large extent in the public school. We would not diminish that at 
all. Neither is there any conflict with the parochial school, although the 
conflict would come in when the parochial school demands a certain 
amount of money from the State for carrying on the parochial school. 
With those, however, who desire to carry on the parochial school with- 


out any demand on the State for money we have no quarrel at all. All 


these means are entirely legitimate within their sphere, but they do not 
reach the full extent of that which the Church means by religious edu- 
cation for the purpose of preparing children for membership in the Chris- 
tian Church. Therefore, this resolution and this action has been formed 
to be presented to the Federal Council, raising the question whether, 
in view of this duty of the Church to provide a systematic and proper 
religious instruction for all its children, some steps should not be taken. 


MINUTES OF MONDAY AFTERNOON. A Fé 


Realizing this duty, which the churches are beginning to do more and 
more, the question then is, is it time for the Church to resume her 
function of religious education; and then the question will arise, how 
shall it be done, by what method and by what arm? 

If you will permit me a personal reason—I was brought to an at- 
tempted solution of this question by an experience of some years on the 
East Side of New York. For the last fifteen years, realizing the neces- 
sity of this, I brought the children together at four o’clock in the 
afternoon, after school hours, for six days in the week, in six different 
grades, each grade on a different day, and from four to five or later 
the children were trained in various subjects, preparing them for the 
Chureh—children from five years to fourteen—hymnology and Bible 
history and Church history and catechism and Bible stories and all these 
things. But the difficulty was that the children said, ‘‘We have so 
many school lessons,’’ and the parents said, ‘‘The children have their 
piano lessons to learn,’’ and they brought home an assemblage of books, 
and said, ‘‘ We cannot learn the Church’s lessons if we have the school 
lessons to learn.’’ So the conviction was forced upon me that the 
public school was crowding religious instruction out of its curriculum 
and leaving the Church no chance except the voluntary efforts that 
could be made on Sundays. This then brought up the question: Has the 
Church any right to the time and to the privilege of conferring reli- 
gious education? And that brings me to the second question which is 
before us: Has the Church a right to any part of the time of week- 
days for the purpose of exercising her legitimate function of religious 
education ? 

The answer to this is, first that it is first an inherited right, and sec- 
ondly, that it is an inherent right. 

First, then, an inherited right. All the history of the Church shows 
that the Christian Church is the mother of education, and whatever the 
modern State has in the way of public school education she has because 
the Church founded the public school. That is simply a question of his- 
tory, a simple historical fact; and the higher development of the educa- 
tional system during the last two centuries has been owing to the work 
which Christian teachers did for the purpose of introducing public 
education. But in our American system we have gradually crowded it 
out. The growth of modern subjects, and the increase of seculariza- 
tion, has reduced the Church more and more to a minimum, and yet in 
all other Christian countries outside of America, even under that pres- 
sure, the churches still have from sixteen to twenty-five and in some 
- cases even thirty per cent. of time for religious instruction. America is 
the only civilized country on the face of the earth which has made no 
provision for definite systematic religious instruction. We do not com- 
plain of that, because it is entirely in harmony with our political sys- 
tem. We do not complain of it, but we do say the Church somewhere 
has a right to that which she herself has provided, and that under all 


118 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


systems of equity she has a claim to that thing which she herself has 
produced and which she has given as her contribution to modern civiliza- 
tion, to the civilization of the world. 

She has, therefore, not only an inherited right, but she also has an 
inherent right. The Church cannot live without religious education. 
‘“As soon as we have no schools,’’ said a Roman Catholie bishop, ‘‘ we 
shall have no churches,’’ and when the Protestants were driven out of 
Austria several centuries ago, the Catholics said: ‘‘We will persecute 
them,’’ but a wise diplomat said, ‘‘Do not persecute them; close their 
schools.’’ They did so, and in forty-five years there were no more 
Protestants in Austria, and so we may say it will be with us unless we 
have a system of religious education,—a sowing of the seed, a way of 
bringing the truth to the young and to the people in the mass, and con- 
sidering the people as a community, and have the right and the privi- 
lege of bringing to them in their formative and pliable years these 
truths we desire to teach. We shall find it is too late if, many years 
after their formative period having passed, we endeavor to bring to them 
the truths of religion. At all events, we shall not succeed as we ought 
to sueceed. This question, therefore, is forced upon us as an inherent 
right of the Church. The Church demands it because without it she can- 
not exist, and the State, if it should interfere with us and interfere with 
the exercise of this function, would at the same time be interfering with 
her own best interests; for when religion is no longer a controlling and 
a vital force in the community, the welfare of the State is at an end. 

While the resolutions are being distributed, I will take the oppor- 
tunity of reading them, as the result of the deliberations which we have 
taken in this matter. 

‘«First, That there can be no true education without religion; to pro- 
vide adequate religious instruction for their children is the duty of the 
churches, a primal and imperative duty. 

‘“Second, That the hour at Sunday-school, the religious exercises of 
the public school and the ethical instruction of the public school do not 
meet the requirements of adequate religious instructions. 

‘<Third, That to provide religious instruction for their children is 
not only the duty of the churches, it is their inherited and inherent 
right, and this right should not be ignored or curtailed by the State in 
its arrangements of the course of school studies.’’ 

I can only say perhaps in illustration of this third resolution, that 
leading educators throughout the country do not object provided the 
Church is prepared to take upon itself this obligation. The Commission 
of Public Education in New York State and the Superintendent of the 
schools in New York City have both of them said that when the Chureh 
is reaay to undertake this work they are ready to concede it. But in 
many minds there is a disposition to question whether we have a right 
to any good portion of the time during the week. They say, ‘‘ Take 
Saturday,’’ but we say, ‘‘Thank you; Saturday is a day of recreation. 


MINUTES OF MONDAY AFTERNOON. 119 


If Saturday is a good school day, take it yourselves; we do not want 
it.”’? They say, ‘‘Take Sunday.’’ We say, ‘‘Thank you; Sunday is a 
day of worship. On it thou shalt not do any work, and we do not wish 
to impose any tasks upon the children upon that day. If Sunday is to be 
used for a school day, take it yourselves; we do not want it. We want 
just as good a day and just as good a time as the public school has for 
our purposes of religious education. We claim it not as a privilege or 
as a favor, but we claim it as a right.’’ 

‘*Fourth, That whenever and wherever public sentiment warrants such 
a course, the public school should be closed on Wednesday, or some 
other afternoon, for the purpose of allowing the children to attend re- 
ligious instruction in their own churches. An allotment of eight per 
cent. of school time for religion is not an immoderate allowance.’’ 

And if they claim, ‘‘We have not time enough,’’ they have a good 
deal of basket work and music, and a good many other things, that 
might perhaps be put on some other day. We simply say, add a half 
an hour to each of the four days that you have left, and you have ample 
time to fill up with these subjects that you have on hand. 

‘¢*Wifth, That this ederal Council appeals to the churches of Amer- 
ica, to all ecclesiastical bodies, to the religious an@ secular press, to 
the educational boards of the Church and the State, to all fathers and 
mothers, to all who desire that the children of this land may be brought 
up in the fear of God and the love of His truth, to support this claim 
until it becomes an integral part of our devotional system.’’ 


President George E. Reed, of Dickinson College, expressed 
the fear that the Council would be assuming too much if it 
adopted the resolutions as they were presented. He said in 
part: 

Personally, I do not believe that we ought to endorse the resolutions 
or recommendations which have been submitted. We ought to be very 
eareful not to interfere with the privilege of the State and its depart- 
ment of work or of the Church’s in the other. Keep the Church sepa- 
rate from the State is a good safe principle in American life, and here 
is an entering wedge to the contrary. It is the business of the State 
to give secular education. We say it is the business of the Church to 
provide the religious education of the children of this country. The 
Church has its opportunity, and the State has its opportunity. And I 
do not think we should ask the State practically to curtail its hours 
of instruction that the Church may have a larger opportunity than is 
has. It is asking too much. They are crowded now for time. I be 
lieve the emphasis should be placed on religious education, but that it 
should be done by the Church and through the channels of the Church. 
It is not done by the Church at the present time very largely. It is 
neglected in the families. I think that if we should urge a larger ef- 
fort to indoctrinate the children of the country in the principles of re- 


120 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


ligion at the home altar as well as around the altar of the Church, we 
should be entirely safe. I am opposed personally to what seems to be 
a movement to mix the functions of the Church and State in regard to 
a very important and very delicate matter. There is a great body of 
people in this country that claim about all this paper asks for, and we 
as a body here are opposed to the claims of that particular body of 
people in this country, and still we would approach very dangerously 
to the position of that particular organization. 


The Rev. H. W. Barnes, D.D., of Binghamton, N. Y., 
while asserting that he believed most thoroughly in religious 
education, added that he felt it would be ‘‘a recognition of a 
mistaken position if we assume that the burden for that rests 
upon the Church instead of the parents,’’ and ‘‘the way to 
reach it is through the parents’’ being stimulated and urged 
positively to put their children under the popular and public 
religious instruction of the pulpit. 


Mr. Nolan R. Best, Editor of ‘‘The Interior,’’ of Chicago, 
said in part: 

The public schools of this Nation are the greatest unifying force 
amongst us. They furnish essentially the cement that binds together 
all our people. They are the one assimilating power which gives in this 
country homegenity. I know of no other. And when we talk of week- 
day instruction in morals for the children and young people in this 
country, we ought to speak from a platform so broad and so fair that 
we may enlist the co-operation, not simply of all the churches, but of all 
fair-minded citizens of all names and orders in the country. It seems 
to me that such a proposition, if we went to work sincerely to develop 
it, might be found. 

I believe that fundamentally this is a proposition that Protestant 
and Catholic and Jew and Gentile as well as the vast portion of the mass 
of people outside of all religious bodies will agree upon,—that the State 
for social and civie reasons has a right to instruct the children of the 
Nation in the public schools in whatever of morality and whatever of 
moral sanctions are necessary to perpetuate a self-governing common- 
wealth. I take it that no man will deny that an atheistic society could 
never perpetuate a self-governing commonwealth. We must have a body 
of citizenship with a sense of moral responsibility pervading it, and the 
public schools ought to give to the children who are growing up to be 
the next generation of citizens that sense of moral responsibility They 
ought to lay upon the consciences of the children of America the sense 
that they are responsible to the supreme governing power of the uni- 
verse for right deeds and for right relations toward their fellow-men. 
I do not think that there is any body of citizens in this country who, if 


MINUTES OF MONDAY AFTERNOON. 121 


that proposition is presented to them in honest fairness, free from all 
sectarian bias, will deny it. 

I believe that upon that principle we can have a unified and unify- 
ing movement of American citizens to give moral sanctions in our pub- 
lie education, theistic sanctions, and I would wish—I have no proposi- 
tion to present—but with all my heart I wish that this Federal Council 
of Churches might at least set its feet upon that pathway to go for- 
ward to find some point of agreement, some common principle that would 
unite all the churches and, more than that, every man in all the coun- 
try who in his heart knows that an immoral republic could not endure, 
and that therefore in very self-preservation this republic of ours must 
insure morality among its rising citizens. 


REV. BISHOP THOMAS B. NEELY, D.D., LL.D., New Orleans: 
Mr. President and brethren: There is an organization in this country 
that claims the right to interfere with the public schools and public 
school funds: Let us not put ourselves on that side. The public schools 
haye done a great work for the people of this land. Let us not mix 
the Church with public school instruction. If we have a right to say 
we must have Wednesday afternoon, we have a right to say we must 
have Thursday afternoon also and Friday afternoon and every other af- 
ternoon; and if we have a right to say that, then we have the right to 
say that we should have all the days, and have our parochial schools in- 
stead of having public schools. That is the principle that is involved 
in the report presented to-day. I presume that the matter was not 
thoroughly thought out, but it does seem to me that it is full of danger 
and we ought not to attempt to interfere with the public schools. 


REV. RUFUS W. MILLER, D.D., Secretary Sunday-school Board of 
the Reformed Church in the United States, Philadelphia, Pa.: 

Mr. Chairman and brethren: It seems to me that we need to clarify _ 
our thinking a little on this subject. Let us remember, first of all, that 
three years ago the Inter-Church Conference on Federation unanimously 
passed the substance of these resolutions. Let us remember: that it is 
a recognized fact which does not need argument nor resolution that it 
is the duty of the home to provide religious instruction, but it is likewise 
the duty of the Church to assist the parents that they may. give proper 
religious instruction. That is the emphasis that is in these resolutions. 
Brethren, we do not propose in these resolutions to introduce religion 
into the public schools, for we believe emphatically that the State has 
nothing to do with that subject, and for the very reason that it has 
nothing to do with the subject of religion—in teaching generally we 
recognize that it is Christian, but in teaching generally it has not the 
right to do that,—for that reason the Church must provide a method. 

Now we recognize that the Sunday-school is doing a good work. The 
International Sunday-school Association, in response to calls from all 
over the country and in harmony with the expressed views at this gath- 
ering as represented the other day in our action, will provide in the 


22 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


near future a system of graded lessons. Let me ask you, brethren, if 
we look on this question from the correct point of view? Is it the graded 
lesson that is going to solve the question of religious instruction? Is 
not the trouble more fundamental than that. There are three essentials 
from the pedagogical point of view which make it impossible for the 
Sunday-school to do all the work that is required in the matter of reli- 
gious education; and, practically, if we fail to put on record something 
of the kind that we have before us to-day we are assuming that the 
Sunday-school, with what the home can do under changed social condi- 
tions, is all sufficient. But there are three essential factors that we 
need to recognize 

First, the time. It is the time element that is the point of weakness 
in our modern Sunday-school system—a half an hour a week practically 
for serious study and teaching against thirty hours of instruction of the 
public school system. I have no time to elaborate that, but you can 
see the point. And, second, the rest day, the time when the instruc- 
tion is given. Sunday is a rest day. The traditions of the day, the 
usage of the day, is against home study and serious study on the part 
of our children, and we know how hard it is to seeure that work in the 
Sunday-school to-day. And then, third, the most fundamental essential 
factor in the difficulty confronting us of the Protestant churches to-day 
is the lack of continuity in the matter of religious education. What 
could we secure in our public schools if we had a half an hour a week 
studying geography once in seven days, a half an hour a week in his- 
tory once in seven days? Surely the Church has a right to say to the 
State: ‘‘We will assist you in the very foundations of your existence, 
we will discharge our duty; and, brethren, I believe that this Federal 
Council that the federations that are in view over the country, will 
make it possible, not to be deyisive as one speaker has suggested, 
but to secure through its federations united action on Wednesday af- 
ternoon in giving religious instruction in the churches and through the 
Church and throughout the united churches in the Federal Council. 
These graded lessons proposed by the International Lesson Committee 
for the elementary grades of the Sunday-school would make a splendid 
beginning on Wednesday afternoon, if we could have it. I think we need 
this, brethren. We need it, and we need more than this in moral and 
religious education through the churches. 


BISHOP EARL CRANSTON, of the Methodist Episcopal Church: 
Brethren, I feel almost guilty of an impropriety in attempting to speak 
upon a matter of this kind without more authority, but I am thoroughly 
persuaded that the action proposed is not in shape to be endorsed by 
anything like a unanimous vote of this Council, and to be endorsed by 
anything less than an approximately unanimous vote would be unfor- 
tunate. We ought not as a body to take any action which has not 
been so well considered as that we should be willing to have it analyzed 
in its every detail by the keenest minds in this country. Our action 


MINUTES OF MONDAY AFTERNOON. 123 


should be deliberate, it should be thoroughly considered; it should be 
dignified; it should be comprehensive. 


To me at first thought this appears to be an advice or the beginning 
of a movement, the first practical result of which will be to excuse in 
yet larger and more unfortunate degree the parent from his responsi- 
bility to the child. Our people are guilty of the absurdity of using 
twelve to fifteen years to prepare their children for practical life in this 
world, and ignoring the law by which their souls require at least equal 
nurture for the preparation of their ethical nature for duty here and 
happiness hereafter. There is the inconsistency, which has been so well 
pointed out, in the attitude which these resolutions contemplate as relate 
to the parent and the State. But here are two or three practical matters 
that have not been suggested. 


First, what about that Wednesday afternoon? Who shall give the re- 
ligious instruction to the children? The pastor? Then his Wednes- 
day afternoon will be perpetually pre-empted. What about the attend- 
ance? Shall the State be asked to require the attendance of the chil- 
dren upon Wednesday afternoon religious instruction? Then you are 
calling the State into active co-operation with you in the religious in- 
struction of your child. What about the possibilities of bringing the 
children to that religious instruction? You will have in all your parishes 
families by the score who will ignore the provision if it should be made 
operative, and you will have boys and girls playing ‘‘hookey’’ by the 
hundred, and you will be putting out an opportunity for demoraliza- 
tion, it seems to me, which will be disastrous in its outcome. The State 
will say to us, ‘‘ Why, you have Sunday. You ask us to guarantee you 
in the enjoyment of the Sabbath day. We are trying to do it. You 
have all day Sunday; you have Saturday with your children, and you 
ask now that your fellow-citizens who are not of your mind shall con- 
cede the instruction of a half day every week in order that you may do 
the duty which appertains to your Holy Day.’’ And then, brothers, if 
we cannot persuade our children or compel our children to attend the 
preaching service on the Sabbath Day, how shall parents of that type 
be expected to compel their children to attend this religious instruction 
on Wednesday, when there is a strong appeal to every boy and girl 
to use that half day as a half holiday? 


If you will look at the many perplexities which are likely to be tere 
involved, it seems to me you will see at once that we ought to hesitate. 
But especially this. If we believe in the duty of the parent, as we here 
again declare, if we believe in the possibility of so instructing a child 
religiously as that he shall be preserved against the perils that beset 
him, if we believe in the efficacy of a Sunday-school at all, why call in 
this secular arm or ask for more time than God has given us in His 
own law for the right instruction of our children. Give these children 
tight examples at home. Give the example of a proper reverence for 
God’s Word. Let us as ministers, and our people as parents, accept 


124 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


and assume fully their own responsibility, and we shall not be called by 
resolutions like these into a perilous alliance of activity with those who 
are really opposed to our public schools. 


After a further discussion, a motion to recommit the resolu- 
tions was adopted, and on an amendment offered by Dr. 
Frank Mason North, of New York, a member of the commit- 
tee the following additional members were appointed by the 
President: Bishop Ethelbert Talbot, President R. L. Kelly, 
the Rev. F. T. Tagg, D.D., the Rev. George B. Winton, D.D., 
President W. L. King, Rev. A. J. Lyman, D.D., and Bishop 
M. W. Leibert. 

The report was discussed further on Tuesday morning. 
(See page 135.) 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS. 


The report of the Committee on the Religious Instruction 
in Higher Institutions was presented by the Rev. D. S. 
Stephens, D.D., LL.D. (Chairman), Chancellor of the Kan- 
sas City University, Kansas City, Kan., and former President 
of the Methodist Protestant General Conference. (See page 
288.) 

Dr. Stephens, in presenting the report, said: 


Your committee in considering the subject of Religious Instruction 
have realized that a difficulty confronts them. They have been impress- 
ed with the fact that methods which are adequate for religious inspira- 
tion at one time may be inadequate at another time. In framing our 
resolutions, therefore, we have felt we could best serve the interest in 
view by recommending the establishment of permanent bureaus or 
boards in each of the denominations, or college boards that are already 
existing with adequate power, to co-operate with each other and with 
institutions of higher learning in devising such plans for religious in- 
spiration and instruction as may be indicated by the needs of the time. 
The religious life of the community, like the religious life of the in- 
dividual, is a growth: ‘‘First the blade, then the ear, then the full 
corn in the ear.’’ The best preparation for this work is the creation of 
"an organism that can provide adequate expression for the religious need 
of the hour. 2 

The imperative necessity for the recognition of religious instruction 
in our educational system is obvious. The world is slowly awakening 
to the fact that religion is essential to morality. The security of the 
State is imperilled if morality be deprived of its religious inspiration. 
The State has long since discovered that the stability of a democracy 


MINUTES OF MONDAY AFTERNOON. 125 


is dependent on the morality of its citizenship, but it has not yet fully 
realized that morality is impossible without religion. The State has 
assumed the work of intellectual education in the hope that thereby it 
might secure the morality essential to its stability, but facts have dem- 
onstrated that intellectual training alone fails to secure the desired end. 
The reason why intellectual training along fails to make good citizens 
is because such training is powerless to overcome selfishness. Selfishness 
is a passion. It is not a product of the intellect, but a passion of the 
heart. It can be subdued only through the ascendency of a passion 
more powerful than itself. Altruism can supplant selfishness only 
through the ‘‘expulsive power of a new affection’’ that has its vantage 
ground in a personality beyond self. ‘Selfishness can be suppressed only 
through imparted moral energy from a personality higher and better 
than self. This is why morality at last must appeal to religion. It can 
be quickened into life only through contact with divine personality.This 
makes education essentially a religious work. It necessitates spiritual 
inspiration as truly as intellectual instruction. 

Religious love—religious faith—does for the soul what intellectual 
power cannot do. It reaches over beyond the limitations of individual 
life and appropriates moral powers and spiritual energies from personal 
life above self. It seizes upon dynamic powers of soul foreign to the 
natural disposition and assimilates them through the processes of faith 
and love. 


The intellect alone cannot thus enlarge the resources of the spirit. 
It finds its solid footing in known truth,—in the life that is already 
possessed, already realized. Here is its ark of safety. But holy pas- 
sion, as a dove, cleaves the air of unknown seas beyond and comes back 
with the olive leaf that tells of divine life and love. It is in this bor- 
derland between the known and the unknown where religion dwells. 
‘* While we look not at the things that are seen,’’ says Paul, ‘‘but at 
the things which are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporal, 
but the things that are not seen’ are eternal.’’ That spirit will die 
that dwells continually in the midday glare of certainty. It is well at 
times to grope our way forward in the dim and mellow light of a tender 
and hopeful susceptibility. 


We shall find spiritual life not solely in the conquests already gained. 
It is the coming truth that vitalizes the soul. Paul realized this. ‘‘ Not 
as though I had already attained,’’ he cries, ‘‘either were already per- 
feet, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also 
I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to - 
have apprehended, but this one thing I do; forgetting those things which 
are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I 
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in 
Christ Jesus.’’ That is what constitutes the mind of Christ. It is the 
soul feeling its way toward life—the forward look of the soul—the 
upturned sensibility of love toward the Infinite. It is the tender im- 


126 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


pressibility of love that saves men. That is why the Saviour made child- 
hood the standard of the spiritual life. ‘‘ Except ye become as little 
children ye cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.’’ 

I sometimes think that the deadly influence of positivism upon the 
thought of this age has blinded men to the deeper truths of the Gospel. 
They try to interpret life and religion in the terms of a sense-bound 
philosophy. They try to measure religion by the standards of sense- 
experience rather than by the standards of personal life. The octopus- 
like grip of a materialistic philosophy stifles the life of the soul. It 
is the heritage which Locke and Hume have left to English thought. 
Even the Christian ‘Church has not escaped the influence of what Car- 
lyle calls the ‘‘Gospel of Dirt.’’. But this philosophy is greatest in its 


omissions. ‘‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than 


are dreamed of in your philosophy.’’ 


Has not the time come when the Church of Christ should part com- 
pany with a philosophy that is blind to the deeper truths of life? Per- 
sonality, with its deep mysteries, is a fact. It has a foothold in the uni- 
verse, and personality is the theme which the Gospel illuminates. ‘‘The 
words I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.’? Let us put 
religion on the basis where the Gospel placed it,—on the foundation 
of a regenerated experience. Let us re-establish the Religion of the 
Spirit. Let us build theology upon the facts of a Bible-inspired life. 
It is in the facts of a transformed conscious experience that we shall 
find the sure testimonies of religion. ‘‘ Hereby we know that God 
abideth in us’’—how?—‘‘by the spirit which he hath given us.’? I 
tell you, if you have that spirit, the God-imparted disposition, the 
Heayven-born experiences, religion is no longer a theory; it is a fact. 

This is the heritage the Gospel has left us. It has lifted man from 
thralldom to the life of sense. It has awakened in him a consciousness 
of his son-ship with God. It has introduced him to the boundless free- 
dom of the divine life. Shall we not stand fast in the liberty where- 
with Christ hath made us free, and be no more entangled in the yoke 
of bondage? Shall we sell our birthright for the mess of pottage offered 
to us by a cheap philosophy? 


The world is hungering for the Religion of the Spirit. A great reac- 
tion from an earth-weighted philosophy is going on around us. The 
erude attempts to satisfy this hunger by Christian Science, by the New 
Thought, by Theosophy, and by the other ‘‘isms’’ of the day are eyi- 
dence of this. The question presses itself upon us, Have we been true to 
our trust? Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. In Him only may 
the world find a true philosophy and a sound practical life. A passion 
for Him alone will unlock the resources of the soul. Theology will not 
save men. It does not reach deep enough. A passion for God alone 
can save men. Dr. Watson—‘‘Tan Maclaren’’—has said: ‘‘ Theology is 
theory; Religion is fact.’’? It has been customary sometimes to meas- 
ure religion by theology. Might it not be better to make theology square 


MINUTES OF MONDAY AFTERNOON. AAT 


with Bible-inspired religion? It is the vital fact of a transformed life— 
of a regenerated experience—of a soul in actual commerce with unseen 
life—that can satisfy the yearnings of mankind. 

I wonder what would happen to this old world if this movement that 
has brought us together, this auspicious and hopeful movement that is 
so full of promise, for the future, should be baptized with the spirit of 
the living Christ, if the Saviour should be reincarnated in the body of 
his reunited church, prompting it anew to proclaim the Gospel of the 
Spirit through repentance and faith, inspiring it to new endeavor in 
exalting him before men? What, I wonder, might be achieved? 

I hereby submit the resolutions adopted by our committee for your 
consideration. ; 

Your committee at its meeting on Saturday adopted a resolution in 
addition to those which were previously reported, and I desire to have 
you permit Dr. Boyille, a member of this committee, to present this 
resolution and explain it to this body. 


REV. R. G. BOVILLE, Secretary, National Vacation Bible School 
Committee, New York: 

Mr. Moderator, Brethren and Friends: I have been asked by the com- 
mittee to present to you this closing resolution on the subject of Daily 
Vacation Bible Schools, and this resolution reads as follows: 

‘«That we heartily commend the movement to employ college men and 
women in daily vacation Biole Schools for neglected city children, such 
as are conducted in leading cities under auspices of church federations, 
city mission societies and individual churches, largely with the co- 
operation of the National Vacation Bible School Committee. We recom- 
mend that our institutions of learning, and especially theological sem- 
maries, establish social service scholarships for the specific purpose of 
enabling their students to engage in this ministry.’’ 

The Committee requested me, inasmuch as the particular resolution 
which I have offered is one that perhaps you are not so familiar with 
as the others, to state a consideration or two that might make it more 
easy for you to arrive at your decision as to whether it should bs adopted 
by the Council. 

The committee feel that this question of religious education in our 
colleges and universities is one that is of the greatest and most vital 
importance. It feels that religious education is making progress in our 
colleges, that religious education is advancing, and that in the growing 
spirit of university people, of university professors and of university 
students, to recognize their public duties and to take part in the af- 
fairs of the nation in a large and patriotic way is a proof of the ad- 
vance of religion and of the influence of the Christian Church. 

But the committee wishes to emphasize the fact that this question of 
religious education affects a large number of young men and women. 
We do not realize hardly how broad the interests are that are at stake. 
In 1903 and ’04 there were in our colleges and universities and tech- 


128 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


nical schools 86,000 young men and 32,000 young women, not including 
professional schools—including theological schools, of course—and not 
including normal schools; so that probably from 75,000 to 200,000 
young men and women, the flower and fruit of many Christian families 
and of the Christian Church, are to be found gathered in the institutions 
of the land, and these will be the leaders in a few years of public move- 
ments, and they will have in future years the helm of state or they will 
have responsibility of state and also of the Church in their hands. 

But it is important also, the committee thinks, for another reason, 
and that is a reason that affects very closely our theological schools. 
The question has been raised why it is that so few of the ablest men in 
our colleges after their graduation find their way imto our divinity 
halls, and the answer that some people have given to this is because 
students see very well that the pulpit is not richly remunerated, and I 
suppose there are some men that have the professional point of view and 
are out for a job that perhaps would take umbrage at the poverty of 
the remuneration that most of us receive. Others, again, say that the 
function of the pulpit is so narrow to-day that men of large endow- 
ments in our universities are not attracted to the pulpit, that they 
rather prefer to work out their ministry in the social and moral reform 
of this age. But there are still others who hold this view, that the se- 
clusion of so many of our college men and women in these colleges, their 
occupation solely and exclusively with secular studies, their separation 
from practical Christian service, and altogether their lack of contact 
with the practical activities of the Christian life, is one of the main rea- 
sons why the springs of devotion are dried up in the hearts and souls 
of our students and why theological halls are being depleted in larger 
and larger numbers. 


It is all right for us to have chairs of Biblical literature; they are 
good; they are necessary. It is all right for us to have Christian 
Associations; they are good. But sentiment which is not expressed in 
service is not very apt to effect very permanently a man’s character, or 
a woman’s character either. It is all very well to have the Student 
Volunteer Movement,—a magnificent movement, the outcome of many 
conventions and of many prayers, the growing desire of college men and 
women to render service to that larger world that lies beyond their 
present vision,—a glorious thing it is; but it is disappointing to think 
that most of these young men and women will never see China or Japan 
unless by means of stereopticon views; hence the erying need of the 
hour is an opportunity for service at home, an opportunity for service 
here in America; not the entertainment of a pleasant emotion about 
missions that we are never to take part in, but the practical work that 
men can do and women can do that have not very much experience but 
have a college education, and have the love of God in their hearts, and 
the desire to serve. ; 


This then is the need of the movement for the college men and women 


7 


MINUTES OF MONDAY AFTERNOON. 129 


of the present day, this need of Christian service, a need for graduates 
and undergraduates alike. They are bound to be employed in the sum- 
mer time. They must go out, because most of them are of that virile 
stuff that is self-supporting. Most of them are making their own way; 
they must go out and serve in their work, and hence we find them in the 
summer time in the harvest fields of Kansas, and we find them in book 
agencies in the rural parts of Pennsylvania, and we find them at sea- 
side hotels,—honorable occupations. It is splendid. It is almost nec- 
essary for a man to be for a while a book agent in order to study 
psychology from a practical point of view. But is it economical for 
the Church and the community to spend so much in the higher educa- 
tion of young men and women and leave them during the summer time 
to be employed in occupations that, however honorable and however 
proper, are not the highest ones in which they could render service to 
the community, leaving them out when they might be rendering service 
to the community in a very necessary way and doing work which they 
can do even better than the regular staff of the Church. 

Now what is the service to which these men can be put? What ser- 
vice is there that these women can do? Where is the solution of this 
question of the employment of college students in Christian work dur- 
ing the summer vacation in America, when there is no legal objection 
to toe giving of religious instruction? The solution comes from the 
American child. The solution comes from the twenty-five or so mil- 
lions of boys and girls who are under fifteen years of age. The solution 
of the question comes from our great cities, the great cities of the land, 
in which these children, the sons and daughters of wage-earning fathers 
and mothers, the sons and daughters of our foreign population, spend 
their summer without any shepherding and without any companionship. 
The appeal comes especially in the summer time, when these young peo- 
ple, without a friend, without a companion, are left through those long, 
lonely days of the street child’s life, when surrounded by all the ex- 
citement of our great cities they are really pitifully alone. There comes 
the appeal to us. 

But you say perhaps, or it is said, ‘‘ But are not these children of the 
great cities in the summer time gathered into the playgrounds. Do not 
the boards of education provide for them? Does not private philan- 
thropy cover them with its-large charity?’’? My friends, we go to the 
mountains with that happy reflection, and we leave our churches and our 
church doors closed, and we forget that after these associations have done 
their utmost there are at least two millions of boys and girls in nineteen 
American cities that enroll fourteen millions of her population, boys 
and girls under fifteen years of age, that are left practically on the 
streets alone for the summer, in contact with demoralization, multiply- 
ing the work of the juvenile court, and in contact with temptations that 
are so destructive to their character that the public school teacher 


130 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


knows very well when they come back in September just what the prob- 
lem is. 

Now, Mr. Chairman, this resolution then has to do with this matter, 
and I believe that I am trespassing on the time of the Council in pre- 
senting it; but, if I might say at the close, I am not advocating some- 
thing that has not been done, but something that has been done, some- 
thing that has been done for the last eight years in the great cities 
of the country,—in Chicago, in Boston, in New York and Philadelphia, 
and in other cities——work that has been done, and that last summer 
two hundred men and women from our colleges gathered in 150 churches 
of this country, in six cities of this country, gathered into a daily min- 
istry some fourteen or fifteen thousand boys and girls, gave them an 
hour of daily religious instruction, gave them an hour of manual work 
and play, looked after them during the afternoon, and left the Sunday- 
schools of those churches, in place of starting up at the very minimum of 
vitality in the month of September, had a fresh breeze blowing through 
them during the summer months, starting them up in September with a 
vitality and vigor that was perfectly remarkable. These students did this 
work, and in doing it they did those fifty colleges and universities an 
untold benediction. ~ 

We ask you to help us then in this great work, to open the door, not 
to any society—we have nothing to do with that; it is simply the 
movement,—but to open the doors for this magnificent ministry of our 
college men and our college women in the summer time to the children, 
who are the trustees of posterity. | 


The resolutions submitted by the committee were then 
adopted. (See page 294.) 

On the motion of the Rev. W. H. Boocock, of Bayonne, N. J., 
the following resolution was adopted: 


Resolved, That in view of the great importance at this juncture in 
our national life of the subject of moral and religious education and 
training, and in view of the fact that this subject, though various in 
its phases, is really one, that this Federal Council ask its Exeeutive 
Committee to consider the advisability of the merging of its three com-. 
mittees on this subject, that on religious instruction through the Sun- 
day-school, that on week-day instruction in religion, that on religious 
instruction in the higher education; that these three committees be 
merged into one committee or department, in order that there may be 
had a more unified and comprehensive treatment of this pressing sub- 
ject. 


LOCAL FEDERATIONS STILL UNDER REVIEW. 


Resuming the discussion of the report of the Committee on 
Local Federations, the Rey, E, T, Root, of Providence, R. I., 


MINUTES OF MONDAY AFTERNOON. 133 


and the Rev. H. B. MacCauley, D.D., of Trenton, N. J., were 
heard. Mr. Root said: 


I think it very important that this subject should be discussed and 
not that merely formal resolutions should be passed, because the aim of 
this discussion will not be accomplished unless every single delegate 
goes home with the resolve to support or to form local federations of 
churches. This is our argument, and the basis of the argument is the 
success of local federations where they have been formed, not merely in 
the special work of Los Angeles,—and the angels, the true angels, have 
brought us a message from that city,—but in scores and in hundreds of 
places. 

Let me emphasize four points in the report, and the first is the im- 
portance of a formal organization. This is illustrated by the experience 
of Methuen, Mass. Some twenty years ago, a young man had read Dr. 
Washington Gladden’s book, ‘‘The Christian League of Connecticut,’’ 
presenting practically the ideal of federation. In his new pastorate he 
at once proposed the organization of a Christian League of Methuen. 
It has been formed on this basis, that every member of every one of 
the churches is a member of the league and votes at the annual meeting. 
Hyery church in coming into that league formally voted to give up its 
evening service once in three months, so that four times a year the 
united churches meet as one. Now the importance of this is that when 
the other ministers have come in the change of pastorates, not interested 
in the movement, they have said perhaps the league does not mean very 
much. ‘‘Very well,’’? would this Mr. Oliphant say, ‘‘very well; pro- 
pose to your church to draw out,’’ the church have once formally come 
in, and no man has ever dared to do that; no church would ever be 
willing to do it, proving the value of an established plan of federation. 

Moreyver, let me call your attention to a few things that the Methuen 
League has done. One is this; it has for years maintained a free bed 
in the Lawrence hospital, just beyond the town. It is supported by a 
woman’s auxiliary of all the churches, and the ladies in the church, in- 
stead of meeting in separate cliques, meet together as one for one com- 
mon purpose. Another thing. When, a few years ago, ‘‘fake’’ fraternal 
societies were plundering the people, the president of the league sent 
for the insurance commissioners, and held a meeting in the town hall 
in which they exposed the work of these societies. Now, sir, if a federa- 
tion for twenty years has been successful with no stimulus of other 
movements, what can not be expected now in present conditions? 

Secondly, let me call your attention to the importance of the single 
or township church. There are whole townships in which there is a 
single church. I know of one of eighteen hundred inhabitants of which 
that is true. There are those who think—it has often been confessed 
on the floor of this Council—that rivalry of two or three churches is a 
stimulus, and that a single church will sink into deadness. If that 


132 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


claim is true, what a rebuke it is, what a charge against our common 
Christianity, that the command of our Master is inadequate without 
miserable institutional rivalry to stimulate us. But, my dear friends, 
we will never prove that point. We will never wholly succeed in our 
effort to unite competing churches unless the single church proves by 
its success and efficiency that it is an advantage. Therefore, we must 
appeal to such churches to act as a virtual federation of the entire 
township. 

Third. May I emphasize also this point, the importance of the parish 
plan. Just a word from the experience of the splendid New York City 
Federation. In the XIVth Assembly District, where that plan has been 
practiced systematically for five years, the proportion of the un- 
churched has actually been reduced from 47 to 27 per cent. 

One other point. We are so close together in our work to-day that 
unless the churches co-operate by local federations and by the co- 
operative parish plan, they will compete. They do not intend to compete 
any more than the trees of the forest, but when the roots entwine below 
and the branches interlace above, they do compete to the death; and the 
churches to-day in their own distinctive work of winning men are so 
close together that unless they intentionally co-operate they will in- 
variably compete. 


Dr. MacCauley said in his address: 


I come before you as the corresponding secretary of another of the 
Inter-Church Federations, and my reason for so doing is that we have 
reached, as we think, at this point the focal spot of most of the in- 
terest and influences of this great Council. If the Council should aw 
journ without action, and if no State federations should be formed, the 
local federation will continue on its way where there are earnest clergy 
and earnest laity to face their local problems; and thinking, therefore, 
that it may contribute a little at least, we have thought to bring before 
you simply the facts of some of the actions of the Inter-Church Federa- 
tion of Trenton, N. J. 

Thirty-seven Protestant churches, with about 11,000 communicant 
members, were asked by the Ministerial Union of Trenton to take a 
vote as to whether they would form this federation, and having received 
their answers that they would, we came together as the federated 
churches of Trenton. We are, therefore, directly upon the lines laid 
down by the Inter-Church Conference of 1905, and also reiterated by 
this Council to-day. We elected for our president the Hon. William M. 
Lanning, Federal Judge for the District of New Jersey, and the reason 
why we did so was because we wished to emphasize the importance of 
the laity in this great movement of local federation. The Great heart 
of our town is our splendid judge, who stands up as an emblem of our 
Church Council, but a public spirited citizen, to lead us in the new 
campaign that is upon us. 


MINUTES OF MONDAY AFTERNOON. 133 


We created the following committees: Executive, Evangelistic, Sab- 
bath, Observance, Temperance and Excise, Social Purity and Finance. 
We discouraged the creation of any special committees, thinking to throw 
into these departments, which are the leading departments, the great 
works which come to us, so that matters of investigation and matters 
of a general character can be taken care of by these various committees. 
What has been the result? Some of the things that we have undertaken 
are as follows: Under the head of executive, a conference with the 
Governor as to what the churches may be expected to do to help the 
Child Labor movement in the State; a conference with the Board of 
Education as to the exact status of moral education in our public 
schools; a mass meeting, held December 9, 1907, in behalf of greater 
interest in our foreign population, addressed by Mr. Robert Watchorn, 
United States Commissioner for [mmigration at the port of New York. 
Eyangelistic: a religious canvass by the churches in each ward of all 
the houses in the city, with a view to ascertaining‘ who are church- 
goers and who are not, and influencing as many as possible to attend 
ehurches of their choice. Sabbath Observance: several items which I 
omit for the scarcity of time. Temperance and Excise: a determined 
positive movement for the purpose of reducing the saloons in the city 
of Trenton; remonstrances resulting in the rejection of five applications 
for two saloons and the forfeiture of two licenses; a map of the city 
showing the location of all saloons, a list showing the owners of all 
saloon properties in the city. Under Social Purity, a successful attack, 
led by one of your own delegates, who is chairman of our Social Purity 
Committee, Mr. Judson Conklin, Baptist, a member of this Council, led 
that attack to victory, an attack upon the objectionable side shows at 
the Interstate Fair; the question of attendance by young children at 
theatres, and the removal of obscene pictures at two amusement places. 
And then, to crown our work, brethren, we have undertaken a plan, which 
will be operative on the first of January of the coming year, for the 
federation of all the charities of the city of Trenton under the Inter- 
Church Federation, and this we have done under this motto, which we 
adopted as the setting forth of the method of our operation, ‘‘In es- 
sential unity; in non-essential charity; in all things liberty.’’ 

This, Mr. Chairman, is something of what we have been able to do, 
and in order to carry this work still further we have entered into corre- 
spondence with six of the counties of our State and can report to you 
to-day that as a result of the correspondence which our Inter-Church 
Federation has carried on, we are able to report to you that in our State 
with us are six other federations,—Camden, Paterson, New Brunswick, 
Bound Brook, Somerset County, and Hubbardton—that are based upon 
the lines of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. 


The resolutions were adopted as submitted. (See page 277.) 


°134 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


The Rev. L. G. Batman, Chairman of the Committee on 
Nominations, presented the report, giving a full list of the 
officers of the Council. The report was adopted, and the 
Vice-Presidents and members of the Exeeutive Committee 
named were elected. (See page 523.) 

The Standing Committees provided for in the By-laws were 
then appointed by the President. (See page 529.) 


MONDAY EVENING 


Academy of Music 


A reception to the delegates was given at the Academy of 
Music. The Rt. Rev. Alexander Mackay-Smith, D.D., LL.D., 
presided, and addresses were made by the Rev. C. F. Aked, 
D.D., the Rev. A. E. Dunning, D.D., the Rev. E. H. Delk, 
D.D., and Bishop E. R. Hendrix, D.D., LL.D. (See page 
481.) 


MINUTES OF TUESDAY MORNING. 11335) 


TUESDAY MORNING, DEC. 8. 
Witherspoon Hall. 


Bishop E. R. Hendrix, D.D., LL.D., the President of the 
Council, presided at the devotional services. The Scripture 
lesson was read by the Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, D.D., and 
prayer was offered by President Robert L. Kelly, of Rich- 
mond, Ind., and ‘‘My Faith Looks up to Thee,’’ was sung. 

The Minutes of Monday were read and approved. 


PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S REPLY 


The following communication from President Roosevelt was 
read by the Recording Secretary : 
THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, 
December 7, 1908. 
My Dear Sir: 
The President has received your telegram of the 5th instant and re- 
quests me to thank the Council cordially for its greetings. 
Sincerely yours, : 
Wo. Logs, JR., 
Secretary to the President. 
Eugene R. Hendrix, President, 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 


WEEK-DAY RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION 


The Committee on Week-Day Religious Instruction present- 
ed an amended set of resolutions which were adopted after the 
following delegates had taken part in the discussion: Bishop 
Ethelbert Talbot, President George E. Reed, Bishop Neely, 
the Rey. George Elliott, D.D., Bishop Luther B. Wilson, D.D., 
the Rev. W. T. Moore, D.D., the Rev. E. H. Delk, D.D., and the 
chairman of the committee, the Rev. G. U. Wenner, D.D. (See 
page 286.) 

In speaking on the amended resolutions Bishop Talbot 
said : 

I hope, dear brethren, that we have elininated from our report,— 
I was added to the committee by courtesy with two or three other of 
my brethren,—I hope everything has been eliminated from this report 
which will provoke any difference of opinion. While everyone of us, I 
think, is a unit with regard to the great wrong that we would do our- 
selves and our public schools to try in any way to repudiate the princi- 


136 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


ples for which this government stands, that there shall be no union be- 
tween State and Church, I believe we are also one on another great 
principle, that this is a Christian land and that this is a Christian 
country and that the schools are a product of our Christian civilization; 
that we have paid for them with our own money. We have built them. 
We have equipped them, and that the schools do not own us, but we 
own the schools and there ought to be a recognition by the Nation of 
God. We have cut out that part which calls for Wednesday afternoon 
for religious instruction; we have only left one reference here which 
could possibly provoke any discussion, ‘‘To provide religious instruction 
for the children is an imperative and inherent right which should be 
recognized by the State in the course of school studies, which calls for 
more time during the week for religious instruction.’’ 


This right should be fully recognized by the State in the course of 
school studies. That expression might suggest to some mind that we 
are invading the sancity of the public schools, but, I want to remind you 
that the idea is simply in order to give hospitality to religious instrue- 
tion wherever in any particular locality there seems to be a desire on the 
part of preachers to allow their children to come to their churches to be 
instructed. 


I need not remind you that in a number of states this thing is more 
general and it is destined to become more so as time goes on. We have 
no right to allow not only the Bible to be banished from our schools, 
which has been done, perhaps wisely, under that heterogeneous popula- 
tion with which we have to deal, the principle I suppose of American 
liberty, the respect for the conscience of every individual man, the prin- 
ciple that has united us, that we have no right to compel the Hebrew 
child to listen to the dogmatic teachings of the New Testament, we have 
no right to compel our Roman Catholic brethren’s children to listen to 
what he would call a Protestant version of the Holy Bible, and we have 
thus come to the point where the Bible is practically abolished from the 
public schools. We have no other recognition on the part of the State 
of the importance and sancity of religion as a force. We provide for 
the artistic and practical side of education. We have, perhaps, the best 
system of public schools to-day. We are all proud of the public schools, 
and we recognize at the same time that we have a very inadequate op- 
portunity to instruct at all fully our children in God’s word in the 
knowledge of the Holy Bible. It seems to me that we have to-day in 
this great representative body a unique opportunity to utter a word, 
and I should hate to see this Council adjourn without uttering that word 
for the religious factor in our children’s education. 


I do not see why we should hesitate to sound the note that in any com- 
plete education to leave out religion is to make our education maimed 
and deformed and unsatisfactory, and ethically wrong. It is simply for 
that principle that this resolution stands. We are simply leaving the 
plan, after the principle has been secured, to be worked out in States 


Bie 


ahem Bo 


MINUTES OF TUESDAY MORNING. Li 


as it is now worked out in a number of States, where children are al- 
lowed to go to their pastors or spiritual teachers at such time during 


‘school hours for a little while to be instructed conscientiously and faith- 


fully in the fear of God and in the knowledge of God. 


While I am on my feet I feel we ought also to lay emphasis on that 
other part of the resolution where we speak of instruction in the home 
and churches of our land, urging that more time should be given to in- 
struction there. It would be interesting to find out how many preach- 
ers here to-day are personally responsible for the instruction of the 
young in their Sunday-schools. How many of you during the sessions 
delegate the instruction to your superintendents or teachers, how many 
are charged with the deep and profound responsibility of instructing 
your children yourselves. 

Then it would be interesting to know in how many homes to-day where 
we pastors do have a large influence, in how many homes to-day the 
family altar is erected. In how many homes to-day is a recognition 
made in the morning and evening in family prayer. In how many Chris- 
tian homes is any recognition of God given at meals, where even such 
a custom as saying grace, returning thanks to God as the merciful pro- 
vider of our souls and bodies is preserved. That resolution is one that 
we ought to have the courage, and I think I may use the word, the wis- 
dom, to pass, because it is simply laying emphasis on what is dear to us. 


Those who hesitate, do so only because it might seem an undue med- 
dling with the province of the State. When I remind you that is-not 
the motive of it, or the result of it, when I say that in a number of 
States it is a growing sentiment, the fact that we are now utterly fail- 
ing to recognize as a Christian nation the enormous importance of reli- 
gion in the life and education of our children, is one that ought to ap- 
peal to us more strongly. I do not comment on any other of the reso- 
lutions because I think they will speak for themselves. They are all 
in the interest of reviving and quickening and strengthening our ener- 
gies upon that which, if I am not mistaken, is the most important and 
vital factor of our lives, to see that the young who are coming to our 
country in such large numbers, shall be impressed with the dignity and 
importance of religious education. 


Bishop Cranston, in speaking of the resolutions, said that 
there could be no true education without religion. Education 
may proceed along certain lines without religion, but it could 
not be complete. 


Bishop Neely questioned the wisdom of having State inter- 
ference in religious education ; he feared sectarian institutions 
would be the result. 


Dr. Delk, in favoring the suggestion of time being taken on 


138 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


a week-day for religious instruction in homes and churches 
said: 

There are three things which I want to say, but I shall restrict my- 
self to one or two. In the first place the enunciation of this principle 
does not originate in this body, but in the last meeting of the National 
Educational Association quite a strong deliverance has been made upon 
the true complete education, and it has been recognized that moral and 
religious education completes the preparation for life. We have not 
gone one step beyond their deliverance in this matter. 

The thing I wish to speak of is this. I see very clearly the cleavage 
here this morning ‘and I say this, not because any reconciliation is needed; 
there are two notes in religious training. One is the educational note 
and one is the inspirational note, and if I understand the cleavage at 
this time, it is between the two groups. Some of us, whose traditions 
come from the Old Land, and who haye adapted and adopted some of 
the processes of religious education, realize very keenly that from our 
point of view the opportunity offered by the Sunday-school and the lit- 
tle that is done by the home is insufficient to secure the religious educa- 
tion of our children. I am tempted to use the word not inadequate, but 
superficial religious education that is received by the children of our 
average Protestant church. We cannot get it in our churches,—churches 
that believe in the catechism, that believe in a full course of Bible 
study, in the training for proper worship,—we cannot accomplish that 
brethren by the hours that are now permitted us. It is simply a practical 
question after all. Into that matter I will not go. 

Let me say in passing that the children consider vacation times, va- 
cation times. We have found it impossible to get their attention on 
Saturday. Time, I am sure, will work a change. You brethren, who be- 
lieve more in the inspirational note in religion, you are fearful that the 
parochial school will be introduced, or in some way some Old World 
note, which has some hidden danger is to be injected in our action this 
morning. J assure you that the members of this committee are just as 
truly American in their spirit and in their ideals and in their honor of 
the little red school-house, as any man here present, but it arises from 
that traditional misunderstanding existing between the two types, the 
educational type, the inspirational type. The educational type is not 
sufficient to train children in religion. I pray you that you look at the 
matter in the practical point of view and I think we have done won- 
ders in this direction, and we can wait ten or fifteen or twenty-five years 
if necessary for this advanced work. 

The State? We are the State. If we are not the State, who is? 
Those outside of the Church? Those who are simply organized for edu- 
cation? Is that the State, that little group? No. I assure you, let us 
give voice this morning to this general principle, and if we do not spe- 
cify a certain number of hours, or a day, we can wait for that until 
we all come into a clear vision for the necessity for a larger amount 


MINUTES OF TUESDAY MORNING. 139 


' 


of time being given for the true and complete education of our children 
in the matter of religion. 


INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 


The report of the Committe on International Relations was 
presented by Henry Wade Rogers, LL.D. (Chairman), Dean 
of Law Department of Yale University, New Haven, Conn. 
(See page 296.) ; 

After reading certain portions of the report, Dean Rogers 
said : 

Mr. President: I am sure there is no need in a Council of the 
churches to argue against war. The conscience of the churches and 
even the conscience of the world condemn it. The nations are to-day 
looking for some way to be rid of it. 

The same ethical forces which have led men to condemn private war- 
fare and personal revenge, which have adjudged duelling sinful, and 
which have required individual men to submit their disputes to the 
tribunals of justice have likewise pronounced war between states evil, 
and no standard for determining the right or wrong of any controversy. 
God is in his world. And the world in its demand for righteousness is 
opening its blind eyes to the fact that war with its fraud, its vio- 
lence, its pillage, its treachery, its cruelty, its devastation and outrage 
is not the best method of determining the merits of a dispute. If two 
individuals ought not to settle an ethical question by clashing two pieces 
of steel no more should two nations. 

The report of the Committee on International Relations is submitted in 
the belief that the hour is soon due to strike when the death knell 
of militarism will be sounded throughout the world. The abolition of 
war and the acceptance of the principle of obligatory arbitration is to- 
day the world’s commanding cause. 

The great question before this Federal Council is not whether we ap- 
prove arbitration as a substitute for war. The whole world does that 
and the scheme by which it is to be accomplished will certainly be worked 
out under the leadership of England and France and the United States. 
The leading and practical question before this Council is that of the 
limitation of armaments, and it is upon that question most particularly 
and emphatically that this body needs to make known its convictions. 
Do the churches approve the policy of a continued increase of the arma- 
ment of the United States? Do they approve of the Government of the 
United States entering into a mad rivalry with European States to see 
which nation can maintain the greatest navy and build the largest and 
fastest and deadliest of warships? 

If the churches are to make their influence felt where it is most needed 
it is upon this great moral question. For under conditions as they now. 
exist it is most important to call a halt in this matter and to express 


140 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


our convictions in vigorous speech and action. We may take it for 
granted that the nations, ours included, will continue their éfforts to 
substitute arbitration for war, and to create an international court, and 
to enter into treaties of obligatory arbitration. We may take it for 
granted that England and the United States will continue their efforts 
to bring the nations to some agreement concerning a limitation of arma- 
ments. Nothing less is to be expected of these two governments. But 
in the meantime is the United States to go steadily ahead increasing 
armaments, or is it to set an example to all the nations and cease to 
expand its armaments? On which side of that question does this Council 
stand? 

In the United States two-thirds of the national revenue is consumed 
either in preparation for war in the future or in the payment of pen- 
sions or interest on the war debts of the past. In the last ten years 
the budget for the navy has increased nearly 300 per cent. 


In 1905 the present British Ambassador, Mr. Bryce, called attention 
to the extraordinary increase in the naval expenditures of Great Britain, 
France, Germany, Russia’ and the United States in the fifteen preceding 
years. The British increase had been more than 150 per cent., the 
French 50 per cent., the German about 200 per cent., the Russian 200, 
and the United States 200. He expressed surprise that the United 
States had entered the rivalry in naval armaments and he saw no reason 
to justify so vast an expansion of the naval power of this country. His 
conclusion concerning his own country and ours was that ‘‘neither their 
permanent interests nor their new needs, nor the material and moral 
position they occupy as regards other nations, obliges them to acquire 
the absurd armaments which they are urged to assume or to maintain.’’” 


To go on increasing armaments while we await an international agree- - 
ment for a limitation or reduction of armaments involves a wicked 
squandering of a nation’s treasure unless that course is necessary for 
self-protection. I do not believe for one moment that any such neces- 
sity exists. The American Republic in the past few years has been 
moving in the wrong direction in this matter. There is not a nation 
in the world that thinks of attacking us. Since the Constitution was 
adopted no foreign nation has ever declared war against the United 
States. And since the war of 1812, no foreign nation has committed 
aggressions against the United States. Our possessions in the far Hast 
do not endanger our relations to any power. No nation wants them. 
That fact ought*to be made plain to any understanding by the recent 
agreement our Government has entered into with Japan. Two years ago 
Mr. Foster, a distinguished Ex-Secretary of State, declared that there 
was not a human probability of the United States being involved in 
war, and he said that it was high time the peace-loving ‘people of 
America should call a halt in our naval expenditures. In a similar 
vein one of the most distinguished members of the Supreme Court of 
the United States, Mr. Justice Brewer, exclaimed against any farther 


MINUTES OF TUESDAY MORNING. 141 


increase of the military and naval armaments of the United States as 
there was not a nation on the face of the globe which would think of 
attacking us. It was his conviction that we ought not to wait for any 
international agreement but that we should take the lead in limiting 
our own armaments and then go to the next Hague Conference and say: 
“We are doing it. Follow in our footsteps.’’? Unless I mistake much, 
that is the sentiment of this Council. I hope it is the sentiment of this 
Nation. Then may the words be truthfully applied to our country, 
‘* Blessed is the peace-making republic, for it shall be called the Repub- 
lie of God.’’ 


‘When it was proposed in the last Congress to increase the naval bud- 
get of the year before by an addition of over $60,000,000 in order to 
build four new battleships, cruisers, etc., several hundred of the leading 
clergymen of the City of New York, representing the various religious 
bodies in that city, united in forwarding to Congress a solemn protest 
against the proposition. A similar protest was sent by one hundred 
and fifty ministers of all churches in the city of Boston. The names 
signed to these protests were those of many of the most eminent men in 
the American pulpit. Those protests led a prominent newspaper to say 
that it was high time that action began in the house of God and that 
‘it was refreshing to see the American churches waking up at last to the 
fact that the world’s inordinate naval program presented a great moral 
issue, and that the churches had too long abdicated their proper leader- 
ship in this imperative matter. It added that it was to be hoped that 
these protests of the ministers would be followed everywhere by ser- 
mons rousing the American churches to a more worthy part in what it de- 
nominated ‘‘the most urgent service of our time.’’ And it added ‘‘ there 
was never a war so bad that the clergy in plenty have not been found 
ready to bless it; and so many of them to-day are found ready to apolo- 
gize for the world’s crushing armaments and to boom the big navies, 
that it is little wonder that the plain people are moved to ask, as they 
have had to do in the face of the same men’s attitude often towards 
lawless and corrupt wealth and other gross wrongs and public menaces, 
what the Christian Church is for.’’ 


The pronouncement which the Federal Council of the Churches of 
Christ in America makes here to-day on this subject will make plain to 
all mankind that the churches of America are not indifferent to the 
effort now being made in all countries to abolish war and to put a 
stop to the increasing expenditures for armaments. It will make known 
to the world that in this great ethical movement of the age the churches 
summon their membership to the duty which now rests upon this gen- 
eration of men to enthrone justice throughout the world between nation 
and nation even as the earlier generations established it as between man 
and man. 

Let us take this action keeping in mind the statement made by the 
Secretary of State, Mr. Root, that ‘‘The open public declaration of a 


142 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


principle in such a way as to carry evidence that it has the support of 
a great body of men entitled to respect has a wonderfully compelling 
effect upon mankind. ’’ : 

Let us then, by making the declaration proposed by the Committee, 
sound the call to the churches. As Cato cried ‘‘Delenda est Carthago’’ 
so let the ery of the churches be heard through all our land and through 
all lands, ‘‘ War must end and the increase of armaments must cease.’? 

We turn our faces towards the light of a better day, and 


“‘Lift in Christ’s name His Cross against the sword.’’ 


On this great moral question there ought to be no doubt where the 
churches stand. The pomp and circumstances of war should appeal in 
vain to them. The faith of the churches of Christ in America should 
be, and I believe is, the faith that overcometh the world, and not the 
faith that is overcome by the world. 


““Were half the power that fills the world with terror, 
Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and courts, 
Given to redeem the human mind from error, 
There were no need for arsenals or forts; 


‘«The warrior’s name would be a name abhorred! 
And every nation, that should lift again 

Its hand against a brother, on its forehead 
Would wear forevermore the curse of Cain! 


“«Down the dark future, through long generations, 
The echoing sounds grow fainter and then cease; 
And like a bell, with solemn, sweet vibrations, 
I hear once more the voice of Christ say ‘ Peace.’ 


‘*Peace! and no longer from its brazen portals 
The blast of war’s great organ shakes the skies! 
But beautiful as songs of the immortals, 
The holy melodies of love arise.’’ 

Permit me in conclusion to say that in no city in all America could the 
declaration which the churches propose to make upon the subject now 
before you be more fittingly made than in this city of Brotherly Love, 
founded by William Penn, the opponent of war, who, more than two 
hundred years ago, proposed that the peace of Europe should be pre- 
served by methods of arbitration. 


Following the address of Dean Rogers, the reading of the 
resolution relating to the limitation of armaments was called 
for. 

It is opposed to increase of armaments and deplores the failure of 


the Hague Conferences to come to an agreement upon this all important 
subject. 


—— eS 


—— a 


q 
k 
r 
y 


MINUTES OF TUESDAY MORNING. 143 


Speaking on this resolution, the Rev. James R. Howerton, 
D.D., said: 


Mr. President, there is no subject that has come before this Council 
upon which I feel more keenly, you will understand it when I tell you 
that I come not only from the South, but from Kentucky. I would not 
be surprised if I was not ahead of you. I do not believe that war is 
unnecessary either. I believe that it is an unnecessary wrong. Now I 
am in thorough sympathy with the substances of this report and if in 
some of its wording I might disagree I would spend no time in criticis- 
ing. I do not believe that the good this Council will do will be by a 
yote in adopting these resolutions so much as in earrying back to our 
pulpits and to our churches and sphere of influence our sentiments and 
preaching the sermons on Peace Sunday, in seeking to establish a public 
sentiment against war. d 

Everyone knows that the hundred years from the year 1750 to the 
year 1850 in humanitarian progress were probably equal to the preced- 
ing thousand years and yet at the time when slavery was abolished in 
this country railroads, telephones, newspapers, telegraphs, all means of 
intercommunication were in their infancy and it has been only about 
three quarters of a century since the Prime Minister of England was 
compelling Spain to give England the right to establish the slave trade. 
Now with the increase that we have had im the last sixty years the 
newspapers, railroads, telegraphs, telephones and such things as these 
and such meetings as this, why should not the next twenty-five years in 
humanitarian progress be equal not only to that of the last thousand years, 
but to that of a hundred years, and why should not twenty-five or at 


least fifty years, witness the abolition of war? It can be done if the 


istian people believe that it is possible. There are some things that 
are only impossible because men believe that it is impossible. 

A friend of mine, who is one of the strongest opponents of war, 
preached a sermon urging the Spanish War as a Christian Crusade. If 
two hundred years ago the Christian churches believed as Penn believed 
what might be the difference to this Nation to-day? If the Christian 
Church would take this stand against war and preach the possibility of 
the abolition of the war, in the next fifty years, it could be made a pos- 
sibility. Faith does not create conditions of success, either in a natural 
or spiritual world, but where these conditions of success do exist faith 
is necessary to make them available. 

I believe that outside the Christian Church there are conditions of 
the success of the abolition of war and if the Church will lead in the 
promotion of faith in this thing it can be done. It is to the lasting 
shame of the Church that some of the foremost voices in favor of the 
abolition of war have come, not from outside of the Church only, but 


4 from rationalists and sometimes from skeptics. 


THE PRESIDENT: TI think the Chair does need to consult the 


body. We have transgressed the time set apart for the discussion of 


144 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


this subject. I submit to the conference whether the question had not 
better be put. Will you take it up seriatim or as a whole? 

THE REV. GEORGE B. WINTON, D.D.: I wish to call the atten- 
tion of the Council to some interesting aspects of the question. On 
Sunday afternoon the presiding officer of the meeting of the trades’ 
unions at the Lyric Theatre, was Denis Hayes, President of the Amer- 
ican Glass Bottle Blowers Union, and Fifth Vice-President of the Ameri- 
can Federation of Labor, and when the Rev. Charles Stelzle said that 
one day labor would rise up and stop war, the whole body rose to ap- 
plause. I wish we might put on record our joy in the recent diplomacy 
of these United States, the work of John Hay, our deceased Secretary 
of State, in concilating China, the work of Mr. Taft is softening the 
asperities of the United States and Japan, and the most extraordinary 
success of Mr. Root, our Secretary of State, in his progress through the 
South American Republics ought to have our hearty approval. 


The resolutions as presented were then adopted. (See page 
309.) 


FAMILY LIFE 


The report of the Committee on Family Life, in the absence 
of the Chairman, the Rt. Rev. W. C. Doane, D.D., LL.D., was 
presented by the Rev. Samuel A. John, and the resolutions 
were adopted without debate. (See page 312.) 


BY-LAWS ADOPTED 


The Rev. William H. Roberts, D.D., LL.D., Chairman of 
the Business Committee, submitted a series of by-laws, which~ 
was adopted after discussion, in which the following took part: 
The Rey. Frank Mason North, D.D., Bishop Cranston, D.D., 
the Hon. H. C. M. Ingraham, Bishop Neely, Bishop Wilson, 
the Rev. W. I. Haven, D.D., and the Chairman. (See page 
515.) 

The Rev. Frank Mason North, D.D., offered the following 
resolutions, which were adopted: 

Resolved, That the rules of order as presented by the Committee on 
Organization be referred to the Executive Committee for report to the 
next meeting of the Council. (See page 518.) : 

The Rev. Wm. Henry Roberts, D.D., placed in nomination 
for Corresponding Secretary of the Federal Council the Rey. 
E. B. Sanford, D.D., in a brief address commending him on his 
efficient work. The nomination was seconded by the Rey. 
John Bancroft Devins, D.D., who referred to the indefatigable 


MINUTES OF TUESDAY MORNING. 145 


labors of the Corresponding Secretary in the interests of the 
Federation Movement, especially in preparing for the meet- 
ings of the Inter-Church Conference and the Federal Council. 
Dr. Sanford was unanimously elected by a rising vote of the 


Council, at the suggestion of Bishop Hendrix, who said: 
I want the Doctor’s eyes to be cheered by the sight of your vote. 


The Business Committee through its Chairman, Dr. William 
H. Roberts, presented the following report: 


The Business Committee respectfully reports upon matters referred to 
it as follows: 

1. With reference to a special meeting of the Federal Council, it is 
recommended that no provision be made for the holding of such meet- 
ing, inasmuch as the Executive Committee has power to act in any 
cases of emergency that may arise in the affairs of the Federated 
Churches. 

2. In the matter of certain resolutions as to interdenominational or- 
ganizations, it is recommended that no action be taken, the Executive 
Committee having in this case also power to act should the necessity 
arise. 

3. In connection with the important subject of the American Secular 
and Religious Press, the following resolution is submitted: 

Resolved, That the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in Amer- 
ica recognizes the great value of the City and Country Press, the last as 
well as the first, reaching and serving vast religious as well as civic 
fields, and cordially invites all the brotherhood of the press, both secu- 
lar and religious, to co-operate with the Council as allies in warfare 
against civic corruption, commercial dishonor, immorality, vice and 
crime. 

4. One of the papers submitted to the Committee is a communication 
from the Church Federation of Los Angeles, with reference to the de- 
ficiency in the number of chaplains for the navy. The following action 
is submitted for &pproval: 

The Council having learned that the sixteen battleships of the At- 
lantic fleet, during their present voyage have only five chaplains, re- 
spectfully urge upon the President of the United States, and the United 
States Congress, such provision for the increase of chaplains as shall 
adequately provide for the spiritual needs of the navy. 

5. With reference to the establishment of native churches in non- 
Christian lands, it is recommended that the Council express its interest 
in the welfare of such churches wherever they exist, and their earnest 
hope that the blessing of God may bring to them abounding spiritual 
prosperity. 

Respectfully submitted, 
WILLIAM H. Roserts, Chairman. 


146 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


The report was adopted as a whole. 


On motion of the Hon. H. C. M. Ingraham, which was dis- 
cussed by Bishop Neely, the Rev. Wm. Henry Roberts, D.D. 
the Rev. Frank Mason North, and the Rev. G. E. Rees, D.D.., 
the following resolution was adopted: 


Resolved, That when we adjourn we do so subject to the call of the 
Executive Committee at such time and place as it shall designate. 


The Rey. Frank Mason North, D.D., for the Committee on 
Correspondence, reported that the Committee desired author- 
ity to prepare and publish a proper statement after the ad- 
journment of the Council: On motion the request was grant- 
ed. (See page 507.) 

Mr. Alfred R. Kimball presented the following report re- 
specting subscriptions to the funds of the Council: 


I desire to make a final report. We have had responses from about 
one-half of the constituent bodies. Many are unable to make exact 
statements because they have to secure them from their original bodies. 
It will be an encouragement if you could indicate your interests and de- 
sires in the matter. Very much would depend on this. I should like to 
be able to say that everyone had indicated practical help. 


The Committee on Resolutions of Thanks, reported through 
the Rey. Levi Gilbert, D.D., as follows: 


The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America convened 
in its first quadrennial meeting, desires to place on record its hearty 
thanks to those who have contributed to an important degree to the suc- 
cess and comfort of the Council; therefore, 

Resolved, That our thanks are due and are hereby expressed: 

1. To the Executive Committee, which was charged with the duty and 
which performed it so effectively, of formulating the program which 
has guided the thought and action of the Council im its various ses- 
sions. 

2. To the local Committee of Arrangements in Philadelphia, Rey. 
W. H. Roberts, D.D., Chairman, Rev. L. B. Hafer, Secretary, for their 
generous and complete plans for the entertainment of the delegates to 
the Council. The following are the Chairmen of the several sub-com- 
mittees: 


BUMANCE 3). ake =. 25iis aie aacodas aiceasoeteete OR eeae Mr. John Gribbel. 

Reception arse eee Rt. Rev. Alexander Mackay-Smith, D.D. 
Vice-Chairman, Rey. E. H. Delk. 

Hospitality: gai5.5 = shes custom eereas, sears Rey. C. A. R. Janvier. 

Pwlpite Supplyse siesta ee Rey. J. Henry Haslam, D.D. 


ee Set 


MINUTES OF TUESDAY MORNING. 147 
[TET 6 (poh Se SAC Ae Mr. H. C. Lincoln. 
DPTTNi + oo GUS ego Ree eee eee Rev. R. W. Miller, D.D. 
als and Meetings, ......:....... Rev. W. H. Oxtoby, D.D. 


3. To Rey. W. H. Roberts, D.D., the retiring Acting President, for his 
faithful and efficient labors, both as Chairman of the Executive Com- 
mittee, and the presiding officer of the opening meeting of this Council. 

4. To Bishop E. R. Hendrix, D.D., the successor to Dr. Roberts, for 
the able and satisfactory manner in which he has presided over the 


Council. 


5. To Secretary, Rev. E. B. Sanford, D.D., for his long, efficient and 
faithful service in disseminating information concerning the work of 
Federation, which has made possible this Council of Churches. 

6. To the Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School 
Work, for the free use of this splendid building for the purposes of the 
Council. 

7. To those who have contributed money for the expenses of the 
Council. 

8. To the citizens of Philadelphia, who have so generously opened their 
homes for the entertainment of delegutes. 

9. To the churches of Philadelphia, who have co-operated so heartily 
in making this Council a success. 

10. To the Press of the city, for the full and excellent reports which 
have been given of the proceedings of the Council. 

11. In a word, we-express our thanks to all who have contributed 
im any to the success of this first meeting of the Federal Council of the 
Churches of Christ in America, destined as we believe to become historic 
as an advance step toward that unity which our Lord prayed for as a 
condition of the world’s conversion. 

And above all, we desire to give thanks to Almighty God for the spirit 
of unity and brotherly love which has prevailed throughout the ses- 
sions of the Council, making our fellowship together to be a foretaste 
of the perfect fellowship of the redeemed in Heaven. 

For the Committee, 
J. H. Garrison, Chairman. 


Bishop Hendrix requested the Hon. Robert N. Willson, 
President of the Board of Publication and Sabbath-School 
Work of the Presbyterian Church, to respond to the expression 
of thanks contained in the report. Judge Willson spoke cor- 
dial words of approval of the work of the Council as follows: 

I want to say on behalf of the body which I represent which is an 
important one in our Presbyterian Church, that we greatly appreciate 
the blessing which we believe will come to us and to the Christian 


churches of our country from the gathering which is now about at its 
end. I believe there will be an aroma of the brotherly feeling, Chris- 


148 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


tian confidence, and outlook of hope and expectation which have been 
developed in this Council. This is an historic body I believe. When 
it met, I confess, that I did not personally have the greatest confidence 
in the good which it would accomplish, but I feel very different now, 
and I believe that all of us who are permitted to live long enough, will 
look back to this event as one of signal importance in the history of 
the Christian Church. 

We Presbyterians are divided, somewhat like Joseph’s coat of many 
colors, and I do not know but what the Methodist brethren are equally 
divided, but if I look forward with any correctness to the future I 
believe that in the time to come, as a result of the work of this 
Council, we will stand closer together and all our Christian bodies will 
gather force, energy and consecration from what has been said and done 
here. As you go to your homes I trust you will take with you the feel- 
ing that not only is Philadelphia a hospitable city, but that it is filled 
with those who follow Christ with you. 


THE PRESIDENT: I will call on Dr. Roberts to express to you the 
feelings of the ministry of this city. : 

THE REV. WILLIAM H. ROBERTS, D.D., LL.D.: I desire to ex- 
press, not only for the ministry but also for the laity of Philadelphia, 
and especially for the Committee of Arrangements for this Council our 
great gratification at the unity which has prevailed in the proceedings of 
the Council. That is the first point upon which we extend our con- 
gratulations. We are also exceedingly appreciative of the way in which 
our advances in hospitality have been met by members of the Council. 
I know that I can speak for the several committees when I say that 
they have been without exception treated by the members of the Coun- 
cil with full courtesy and with full appreciation of all that is meant 
by the expression—Christian gentlemen. We thank you, brethren, for 
our intercourse together during these days of our session when we have 
talked together, and invoke upon you the blessing of God in all the 
future. You may rest assured that should you conclude at any time 
again to come to Philadelphia, you will be received with open arms and 
the hospitality of the future will be not in the least degree behind that 
of the present gathering. 

I heartily thank you for these resolutions in the name of the citizens 
of Philadelphia, as well as our ministers and laymen directly related to 
the work of the Council. We rejoiced in having you with us and we 
bid you God-speed. 

THE PRESIDENT: We will now have the minutes read, and I 
have appointed Dr. S. J. Niccolls, of St. Louis, to say a few last words, 
and then after that we will sing ‘‘Blest be the tie that binds,’’ and will 
be led in prayer by Dr. Keiffer. : 


Dr. Summerbell read the minutes of the meeting of the 
morning, and they were adopted as read. 


MINUTES OF TUESDAY MORNING. 149 


On motion of the Recording Secretary the following reso- 
lution was adopted: 


Resolved, That any items of business left unfinished by this Council 
be referred to the Executive Committee. 


Following the completion of the business of the session, 
Bishop Hendrix said: 


The duty of self-suppression is one of the most sacred and important 
to be exercised by the Chairman. In the nature of the case it has 
fallen to me to say a good many words, and I feel as was once said by 
Whitefield, that he had said so many words while living, the Lord would 
not require of him any dying words. I feel I can go under the same 
head. I have asked Dr. Niccolls to represent me in such words as may 
seem best. 


The following is the farewell address by Dr. Niccolls, made 
in behalf of the Council: 


I was not aware until this moment, Mr. President, that I was to be 
your mouth-piece on this occasion, and I feel embarrassed, for all know 
with what silver-tongued eloquence my good Bishop is accustomed to 
speak to those who have the good fortune to listen. I call him my 
Bishop, because he is over me, and I am one with him in the com- 
munion of the saints. 

However, no extended words are required to express the profound 
gratitude which we feel for the treatment which we have received in 
Philadelphia. It is not necessary to exploit Philadelphia hospitality. 
It is an old experience with me and I have always been glad when 
pleasure or duty called me to this city, which is known, in Presbyterian 
parlance, as ‘‘The Saints’ Rest.’’ The atmosphere of the place has un- 
doubtedly had much to do with the success of our meeting. We all 
know how much we are influenced by the atmosphere physically, and not 
less important is the spiritual atmosphere of the place in which a Coun- 
cil like this assembles. I do not know that we have brought as much 
to the city as we have received from the brotherly feeling manifested 
in its spiritual atmosphere. Perhaps the_ deepest gratitude is that 
which transcends words, and it is voiced only in expressive silence. It 
is this attitude that I take with reference to the generous hospitality 
we have received from the city of Philadelphia. 

The Council in which it has been our privilege to participate will soon 
be a memory, but I trust not altogether a memory; it will be a living 
inspiration to us as we go back to our several fields. Those of us who 
have a good deal to do now with memory, whose locks have been whiten- 
ed by the passing years, look upon such a gathering as this with some- 
what different emotions than those who stand in middle life, and have 
the prospect of many years of service in the church. We can recall days 


150 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF ''HE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


that were wintry in comparison with the summery atmosphere of broth- 
erly love we here enjoy. We can remember times when bigotry and in- 
tense denominationalism held us far apart, and when it seemed like a 
vain dream in those days to attain the consummation of the present. 


Thank God, progress has been made. I do not mean to say that all 
bigotry and all intense sectionalism or denominationalism have passed 
away. ‘They linger like those belated snow-drifts which lie upon our 
western mountains in June. The song of the birds is in the trees, and 
the flowers are blooming; the frozen drift is slowly yielding to the 
genial spirit in the air—its crystals are being dissolved until they join 
in little rivulets the laughing brook in the valley that goes on to join 
the river. Soon where it lay, the grass will be green and the violets 
and anemones bloom. So bigotry is being dissolved. God grant that 
the summer day of love in all its fullness may cover this land with 
its light and heat; that there may be growth in brotherly love, growth 
in holy activity, and the days of winter be forever gone by. 

We go from this place of sacred memories, I think quickened in our 
affection for each other. Somehow the heart of Christ that is in us 
each one, is beating in sympathy with the heart that is in our brother; 
and all we need for a more perfect union is to understand each other 
a little better, and to see the image of Christ each in the other. I 
know of no more fitting words with which to close our gathering than 
those of an old hymn of sacred associations in the Church. Let us rise 
and with one heart and voice sing: 


“*Blest be the tie that binds 
Our hearts in Christian love; 
The fellowship of kindred minds 

Is like to that above.’’ 


The Council rose and joined in singing the hymn, and 
while the members were standing they were led in a closing 
prayer by the Rev. J. 8S. Kieffer, D.D., of Hagerstown, Md.: 


Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, without Thee we can do nothing; 
without Thy blessing all our thoughts, cares and labors are in yain. 
Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. In 
this solemn closing hour we ask Thy gracious blessing, O Lord, upon 
the acts and proceedings of this Council. May Thy blessing rest upon 
what has here been said and done, that it may be to the glory of Thy 
name and to the great good of the churches of Christ in this land. If 
ought has here been said or done amiss, if there has been error in 
judgment, if there has been mistake in action, make it O Lord, as if it 
had not been. Overrule it, we pray Thee, that it may result not in in- 
jury but in good. 

As we depart from this place, O Lord, may this Council leave behind 


MINUTES OF TUESDAY MORNING. 151 


it a blessing to the place in which, and the people by whom it has been 
so graciously welcomed and entertained, and may it also carry away a 
blessing with it. To Thy care and keeping, O Lord, we commend this 
body, as we look forward into the future with all its liabilities, its 
anxieties, its perils. Thou, Who hast been with us here, be with us 
hereafter, and be with those who shall come after us in this body. We 
thank Thee that by Thy Holy Spirit Thou hast presided over our de- 
liberations. As in the days of old, we have here been all with one ac- 
cord in one place, we have been of one heart and of one soul. We thank 
Thee for the consciousness which Thou hast here given us of the existing 
oneness of the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord, and that Thou hast 
enabled us to declare it and make it manifest. Help us, we pray Thee, 
to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 


Be Thou with this body as it enters now upon its history. Make it 
a mighty influence and power for good in this land. Make it a great 
blessing to the Churches of Christ in America. May it be a great bless- 
ing to all the people of this land and nation. We ask Thy blessing, O 
Lord, upon this our country, upon the President of the United States, 
upon our National Congress, upon our legislators and judges and upon 
all our. civil rulers. Grant unto our rulers to fear God and to love 
truth and righteousness. May those who are first in place be first also 
in the fear of God and in the love of righteousness and justice and 
truth; and of Thy great goodness, we pray Thee, make this our land and 
nation a great blessing to all the nations of the world. Be with us as 
we depart from this place and go to our several places of abode and take 
up again, with new courage and new hope because of what we have wit- 
nessed here, the work which Thou has given us to do. May we never 
forget these days; may we never forget this solemn hour. Be with us 
when we are wearied by toil, when we are cast down by discouragement, 
when we are distracted by anxieties and perplexities, when we are filled 
with forebodings as to the future, O Lord, by Thy Spirit be with us, each 
one, then, as Thou hast been with us all together here. 

We ask these things in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ, who has taught us to pray, saying: 

Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy King- 
dom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven. Give us 
this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive 
those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but 
deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the 
glory forever and ever. Amen. 


THE PRESIDENT: The venerable Bishop Foss will now pronounce 
the benediction. ; 


BISHOP FOSS: Now may the peace of God which passeth all under- 
standing, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, 
and of His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord; and may the blessing of God 


152 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost be among us and remain 
with us always. Amen. 

THE PRESIDENT: I pronounce the first Federal Council of the 
Churches of Christ in America, adjourned subject to the action which 
you took this morning. 


The Council thus adjourned subject to the call of the Ex- 
ecutive Committee. 
Rivineton D. Lorn, Recording Secretary. 
Philadelphia, December 8, 1908. 


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PART II. 


Papers Prepared for the Council and Submitted as the Gray Book 
. Interdenominational Organizations. 
. Co-operation in Foreign Missions. 
-State Federations. 


Organization and Development. 
The Maintenance of the Council. 


. Co-operation in Home Missions. 
. The Church and Modern Industry. 


Religious Instruction through the Sunday-School. 


. The Church and the Immigrant Problem. 

. Sunday Observance. 

. Temperance. 

. Local Federations. 

. Week-Day Instruction in Religion for School Children. 
. Religion in Higher Institutions. 

. International Relations. 

. Family Life. 


153 


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Interdenominational Organizations 


THE Rey. AME. VENNEMA, D.D.* 


There have sprung into being in our country during the 
last century a large number and variety of organized Chris- 
tian agencies that are known as inter-denominational, or 


REV. AME. VENNEMA, D.D. 


“‘pan - denominational”’ 
as one has preferred to 
designate them. While- 
the life of some of them 
has been short and their 
influence limited, born 
to meet a present and 
local need, most of them 
come to stay. Their 
permanency and_ the 
fact of their rapid de- 
velopment into national 
and world-wide useful- 
ness fully justify the 
wisdom of the founders. 
They are not a fad 
which some _ religious 
adventurer has sought 
to foist upon the com- 
munity or Church in 
the hope of immortaliz- 


ing himself. They are the legitimate off-spring of mature 
and well-balanced minds, clear and far-visioned enough to 
discern the necessities and opportunities of the field com- 


*Chairman of the Committee on The Relation of the Federal Coun- 
cil to Interdenominational Organizations; other members: J. M. Buck- 
ley, J. S. Caldwell, John Bancroft Devins, H. M. DuBose, I. W. Gowen, 
R. Greene, John Hurst, W. T. Moore, R. H. Potter, W. F. Richardson, 
W. H. Washinger, J. G. Wilson and J. J. Young. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 25. 


156 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


mitted to the Christian Church for cultivation, and of hearts 
sufficiently consecrated and enterprising to make prompt and 
suitable provision for it. Nay, must we not acknowledge a 
higher source, and say that the conception and plan of this 
many-sided Christian work were the direct inspiration given 
to the founders by the great Head of the Church? That they 
all builded better than they knew argues plainly that the 
hand of God was with them from the first. 

The work undertaken and pushed by these non-sectarian 
organizations is not foreign to the spirit and aim of the 
Christian Church. The organizations themselves are not 
grafted into her from the outside, merely to draw from her 
life sustenance and strength. They are boughs which the 
living tree has put forth in order that it may bear more 
abundant fruit of its own kind, and afford more room for 
those who would find shelter under its cooling shade or nestle 
in its branches. 

These organizations are not so many mechanical appliances 
aiming to do an independent work, merely connected with the 
Church by a shaft or belt that conveniently furnishes power 
to run them; they belong to the plant as much as if they were 
housed under the same roof; they enable it to do the work for 
which it was established—to satisfy the world’s need by its 
varied output. 

So long as we look upon these agencies merely as human 
devices artificially attached to the Church we shall regard 
them with suspicion and give them secant welcome. If we re- 
gard them as an integral part of her organism, they will rep- 
resent practical Religion, applied Christianity, the hands of 
the Church laden with blessings, reaching out to the world in 
numerous benefactions and manifold ministry. 

The most consecrated and capable men and women of the 
various denominations constitute the boards of control of these 
organizations. The best and strongest life of the Church has 
gone over into them and is keeping the Church busy at the 
firing line. The border line of ecclesiasticism may be some- 
what severely marked, but it is softened down by these va- 
rious movements that go out in the spirit of sympathy and 
helpfulness to all classes and conditions of men. 


INTERDENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. 157 


Are we not warranted in saying that the sum total of these 
interdenominational organizations represent the Church of 
Jesus Christ in America at work; that they are the forerunner 
and the already partial realization of the very result for the 
furtherance of which this Council is convened Do they not 
express that magnificent principle which should lie at the 
heart of every federative movement—‘‘in essentials unity, in 
non-essentials hberty, in all things charity?’’ Is not the work 
contemplated by them, and performed with varying degrees 
of efficiency, an important part of the work which Christ 
started and which He gave to His body, the Church, to carry 


forward? Is it not being prosecuted in its many ramifications 


under the inspiration and guidance of His Holy Spirit, and 
with the backing of a practically united Church? Do not 
these federated activities argue the need, demonstrate the pos- 
sibility and augur the certain coming into being in the not 
distant future of a broader federated activity? 

If it is a reproach to the Church to-day that she does not 
more fully and more widely express the life of the Master 
who ‘‘went about doing good,’’ and ‘‘came not to be min- 
istered unto but to minister,’’ how much greater would be that 
reproach if she could not have placed to her credit the record 
of achievement of these united societies! Through them as 
channels the Church is seeking to touch men with blessing 
wherever sin has touched them with its blight; she rushes in 
to fill with God’s abounding grace the vacuum of human 
need. These interdenominational organizations are not sup- 
plementary agencies to the Church, much less are they her 
rivals in the field. They are the Church herself, divided 
somewhat it may be in name and by tradition, creedal expres- 
sion and historical development, but united in spirit and in 
service. 

In support of the position taken, let us refer briefly to the 
character and work of the more important of these organiza- 
tions. Time will not permit making the list exhaustive. 

The first and foremost place, it seems to us, is easily held 
by the American Bible Society, that great arsenal from which 
the army of the Lord has for years obtained its principal 
weapon—‘‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of 


158 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


truth.’’ Through this great agency the Seriptures have been 
distributed in the United States army and navy, among sea- 
men, in hotels, steamboats, and railroad cars, among inmates 
of charitable and penal institutions, to immigrants and freed- 
men. Four times in its history a systematic attempt has been 
made to supply every needy home in this country. About 
thirty thousand volumes for the blind have been issued. To 
aid the Home and Foreign Missionaries in their work the 
whole or portion of the Scriptures have been translated 
under the auspices of the American Bible Society, the 
British and Foreign Bible Society and kindred Societies. 
The aggregate issues of the Society in ninety-two years were 
82,316,323 volumes. It is needless to say that this stupendous 
enterprise involves enormous cost. God has raised up friends 
for it in the past, and just now the generosity of the Christian 
Church in America is challenged by the munificent offer on 
the part of Mrs. Russell Sage of an endowment of $500,000 
on condition that a like amount from other sources be ob- 
tained. Let the Church rise in her strength, accept the chal- 
lenge, and so increase the permanent income of the Society 
that the maintenance and expansion of the work may not be 
embarrassed ! 

Next in order of importance is the American Tract So- 
ciety, which has just completed its eighty-third year. Its 
object is to supply Christian literature in all languages for 
all nations. The field of its operations is the world. Its col- 
porteurs labor among the immigrants in all sections of our 
land and in our island possessions. Its publications have been 
printed in 174 languages. The Society is the handmaiden to 
every other good’ cause. It is most closely linked to Home 
and Foreign Missions. Its broad, evangelical basis is shown 
by the fact that over twenty denominations have been repre- 
sented among its officers, its laborers, and its warm friends 
and supporters. It has been well said that ‘‘it emphasizes 
Christian Union in a most emphatic and practical way, and 
its influence and example have been important factors in the 
erowth of that spirit of unity in Christian effort which has 
become a distinguishing characteristic of the present age.”’ 

The life of the American Sunday-School Union is almost 


ae 


INTERDENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. 159 


contemporaneous with that of the Tract Society. The Union 
was organized in 1824. Its purpose is Sunday-school exten- 
sion and sustenance in the waste and destitute portions of our 
land, and the publication and circulation of religious litera- 
ture adapted to children. The fourteen million children and 
youth in the United States unreached by any Sunday-school 
present an urgent and ample field for its operations. It does 
pioneer work. The new settlements on the frontier and the 
sparsely settled rural and mountainous districts of the west. 
northwest, south and southwest are the scenes of its activity. 
It has to its credit the organization of an average of nearly 
four Sunday-schools a day for every day of the last eighty- 
four years. During the last year there were under commis- 
sion 272 missionaries, 1,821 new schools were planted in 
hitherto neglected neighborhoods, into which were gathered 
64,873 scholars, and 94 churches of different denominations 
were organized. This Society too is distinctively unsectarian. 
Its officers, managers and missionaries are all members of the 
various denominations. Its relation to them is that of loyalty 
to all their interests. It is a recruiting agency for all the 
churches. 

The Evangelical Alliance for the United States is a branch 
of the Evangelical Alliance, an organization as broad as 
Christendom, having other branch associations in Scotland, 
Treland, Canada, New Brunswick, France, Switzerland, Ger- 
many, Holland, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Greece, 
Syria, Egypt, South Africa, Japan, China, Persia, East In- 
dies, West Indies, Palestine, Australia, New Zealand, Chili. 
and Mexico. The movement sprang from the labors of some 
great exponents of the Christian faith in different lands near 
the close of the first half of the nineteenth century, looking to- 
wards greater unity among the various denominations of 
Christendom. Notable among these were Thomas Chalmers, 
of Scotland, John Angell James, of England, George Fisch, 
of France, Merle D. Aubigne, of Switzerland, and William 
Patton, Samuel H. Cox, Lyman Beecher and others in the 
United States. The formal organization of the Evangelical 
Alliance was affected in London in 1846. At the meeting for 
that purpose, which opened Aug. 19th, and continued in ses- 


160 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


sion fifteen days; there were present eight hundred delegates, 
representing fifty denominations of Christians. 

The United States branch was organized on January 30, 
1867. Its object, as framed in the constitution, is ‘‘the furth- 
erance of religious opinion with the intent to manifest and 
strengthen Christian unity, and to promote religious liberty 
and co-operation in Christian work, without interfering with 
the internal affairs of the different denominations.’’ Its dele- 
gates attended the general conference at Amsterdam in 1867. 
The next general conference was held in New York in 18738, 
and was one of the most celebrated meetings in Christian 
annals. From about the date of the United States Alliance 
there has been a great quickening of thought and study of 
sociological problems. The Alliance has been and continues 
to be most vigilant and active in opposition to the sectarian 
distribution of the school fund in different States. The Evan- 
gelical Alliance brings itself to the attention of the Christian 
world every year in its call for the observance of the Week 
of Prayer and sending forth its program of topics to be fol- 
lowed. 


The Young Men’s Christian Association, of British origin, 
was transplanted to this continent in 1851. Its modest begin- 
ning did not prophesy its subsequent development into a move- 
ment of national and world-wide proportions. It aims to en- 
list and band together Christian young men in the interest 
of other young men, to encourage their physical development, 
their mental training, their social and moral improvement and 
their spiritual well-being. It is a Christian training school 
that has developed in a remarkable degree the talents of the 
laity. Dwight L. Moody declared that in his preparation for 
spiritual work he owed more to the Young Men’s Christian 
Association than to any other human agency. Its gymna- 
slums, swimming-pools, reading-rooms, libraries, parlors, en- 
tertainment and religious halls, educational classes, employ- 
ment bureaus, lodging rooms, summer-camps, ete., do not a 
little to safeguard the young men in our great cities against 
the tide of temptations that endangers their career. Its work 
in army and navy, among college students and railroad men 


INTERDENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. 161 


is equally commendable. The area as well as the lines of its 
activities are constantly increasing. On January 1 of the 
present year its membership was nearly half a million—‘‘an 
enrollment equal to seven times the enlisted force of the 
United States army. More than one in every four college 
students is on its rolls. Its railroad department is the second 
largest brotherhood in the world.’’ A feature of deep sig- 
nificance is the two-fold work done in behalf of the ministry ; 
first in presenting the ministry as a life work to the strong- 
est students in the colleges; and second in co-operating with 
theological students and professors in deepening and develop- 
ing the spiritual hfe and purposes of students for the min- 
istry. This work is being done for all Protestant evangelical 
denominations. The history of the Association proves that 
it is practicable to gather into harmonious and active co- 
operation Christian men from different churches in the 
prosecution of Christian work. Denominational lines do not 
appear and denominational questions do not come up for 
discussion in their councils. It is true of this organization 
as of others, ‘‘if the denominational bars have not been taken 
down—and that is not necessary—this Association has at least 
taken the barbs off the wires, and that is a great deal to do.’’ 

The Young Woman’s Christian Association aims to do for 
women in their sphere practically the same kind of work that 
the Young Men’s Christian Association is doing for men. 
In 1858 there was organized in New York the ‘‘ Ladies’ Chris- 
tian Association,’’ and its stated object was to labor for the 
temporal, moral and religious welfare of young self-support- 
ing women.’’ It will be acknowledged that young women, 
from their position and sex, are even more unprotected and 
helpless than young men. ‘‘There are in round numbers 37,- 
000 young women in colleges and universities in this country 
to-day; 40,000 in nurses’ training schools and 440,000 girls 
in high school and academies; 4,500,000 women over fifteen 
years of age are wage earners in the United States; there are 
2,000,000 women engaged in the mechanical and manufactur- 
ing industries; there are 400,000 women in the professions, 
300,900 of them being teachers; and the women engaged in 
trade and transportation, including clerks, saleswomen, book- 


.) 


162 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. J 


keepers and stenographers number 500,000.’? Into every one 
of these fields the Young Women’s Christian Association has 
entered. Associations have sprung up all over the land, the 
most capable and consecrated young women constitute their 
working force, and such is the character of their work as to 
commend them to the confidence of all evangelical denomina- 
tions. Again we recognize in this noble band of earnest, ac 
tive, praying women, a motley but mighty host, picked from 
all the churches, holding one faith, serving one Lord. 

The Women’s Christian Temperance Union, representing 
in its ranks some of the most aggressive women of all denom- 
inations, is waging a relentless warfare against the demon of 
strong drink, and the insolent host of selfish and greedy men 
who impose their nefarious traffic upon every community. 
The work is agitational and educational. By the organiza-— 
tion of the children in various temperance bands, by securing 
systematic instruction of the youth in our public schools on 
the effects of aleohol upon the system, by the circulation of 
temperance literature broadcast, by frequent meetings, by 
numerously signed petitions affecting state and national leg- 
islation, they have labored persistently for the betterment of 
social conditions, and have had no small share in forming the 
growing anti-saloon sentiment that is spreading so rapidly 
over the land to-day. 

How the condition and need of one local church, that in- 
spired its pastor to form the first Young People’s Society of 
Christian Endeavor, proved to be the condition and need of 
thousands of churches the world over, is evidenced by the fact 
that there are to-day 70,608 such societies, with about three- 
and-one-half-million members, in every country that is open te 
the Gospel and in more than sixty evangelical denominations. 
The principles of the society of the Williston Church, Port- 
land, Me., like winged seeds, have been wafted on he winds 
of heaven to the four corners of the earth; they h ve taken 
root in every soil and thrive in every climate. What was mod- 
estly called in its inception a ‘‘Society of Christian En- 
deavor,’’ may, after the lapse of twenty-seven years, well claim 
the right to be known as a society of mighty and magnificent 
accomplishment. 


INTERDENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. 163 


The pledge of loyalty to Christ and the Church taken by 
this splendid army of boys and girls, young men and maid- 
ens, in Junior and Senior Departments, lays a broad and 
solid foundation for the church of the future. They seem to 
say to the forces of evil what the school boys of Bourges in 
the early French Revolution displayed in shining letters on 
their banners, ‘‘Tremblez tyrans, nous grandirons’’—‘‘ Trem- 
‘ble, O Enemy, we are growing up for God!’’ For the spirit- 
ual revival and Christian activity of the Church of God, and 
_ for the closer unity of His people this movement has been and 
is a chosen instrument in the hand of the Lord. 

The Students’ Volunteer Movement begun at Mt. Hermon, 
Mass., in 1886, is one of the most potential forces in the field 
for the extension of the Kingdom of Christ. Its purpose is 
four-fold; To lead students in our higher institutions of learn- 
ing to consecrate themselves to foreign mission work; by 
every reasonable means to foster that purpose in the volun- 
teers until they pass under the care of the mission boards; to 
band them together in an organized aggressive movement, and 
to stimulate interest in Foreign Missions in the student body 
so that those who volunteer may have strong support at home. 
Thus it is a recruiting society for the various boards. 

The movement has touched by its propaganda nearly a 
thousand institutions in the United States and Canada. Since 
it began and prior to January of the present year, 3,500 stu- 
dent volunteers, male and female, have sailed for their re- 
spective fields of work. Of these, seventy-five per cent. credit 
the movement with being the determining cause of their en- 
listment. Nearly all have gone out under the regular de- 
nominational boards. One of the incidental results of this 
splendid work is the influence it has exerted in promoting 
unity of spirit and effort. These volunteers, brought into 
close spiritual fellowship during their student career, keep 
in touch with one another. And when in pagan lands they 
are confronted by the strongly entrenched forces of the non- 
Christian religions, they appreciate more than ever the im- 
portance of presenting a united front. 

The latest interdenominational movement that bids fair to 
_ greatly hasten the coming of the Kingdom is the Laymen’s 


164 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Missionary Movement. It is an outgrowth of the commemora- 
tion in 1906 of the Centennial of the Haystack Prayer-Meeting. 
It has made the watchword of the Student Volunteer Move- 
ment—‘‘ The Evangelization of the World in this Generation”’ 
—the goal of its aspiration. It is a simple and informal move- 
ment that seeks to form interdenominational co-operative 
committees in the large centers of population to outline and 
earry out a broad and aggressive missionary policy. It com- 
missions intelligent laymen at their own expense to visit 


foreign mission fields and report their observations. It stim- . 


ulates intelligent interest.and solicits larger money investment 
in the grandest and most profitable enterprise ever entrusted 
to man. It realizes that the work of to-day should be done by 
the men of to-day, and that if it is to be done by them, the 
rank and file of Christian people must take a more earnest 
hold. It endeavors to secure the appointment of a group of 
‘‘key-men’’ in every local church who by the magnetism of 
‘applied personality’’ will kindle others. The results of this 
propaganda are turned over to the mission boards for their 
forward movement. 

This hasty survey of the interdenominational organizations 
named, and the array of facts and figures presented in the an- 
nual reports of these and others not named show what stu- 
pendous activities are already carried on by the Church of 


Christ in America unitedly. It is safe to conclude that much 


of it would remain undone except for the co-operation of the 
various denominations in these different lines of effort. Is 
not the Church the ‘‘generating power-house,’’ and are not 
these organizations the ‘‘distributing centres’’ to disseminate 
through different avenues of approach the influence of God’s 
truth and grace? Or, obtaining their orders from the 
Church, are not the men and women engaged in these organi- 
zations the brave and willing soldiers “‘on the firing line in 
the thick of the six-days’ battle?’’ 

The relation of the Council therefore to these interdenom- 
inational organizations is one of utmost cordiality. They are 
kindred in spirit, their hopes and aims are one. The Coun- 
cil’s interest in them is both fraternal and paternal. 


; 


INTERDENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. 165 


Your Committee therefore recommends the following reso- 
lutions: 

1. That it is the sense of this Council that the Interde- 
nominational organizations of the United States by co-opera- 
tive work along special lines of Christian effort, have done 
much to prepare the way for that broader co-operative work 
contemplated by this body. 

2. That the work so successfully carried on by them demon- 
strates the practicability and wisdom of federated Christian 
enterprise and gives promise of success to the plans that may 
be adopted by this Council. 

3. That we recognize these various organizations as an in- 
tegral part of the Church, bringing into effect no small share 
of the work committed to her hands, and that we therefore 
heartily commend them to the confidence, sympathy, and gen- 
erous support of the churches. 

4. That while we give our endorsement to such organiza- 
tions as are plainly Christian and interdenominational in 
character and are so regarded generally, these resolutions are 
not to be construed as commending every undenominational 
organization that carries on some form of good work, perhaps 
not even distinctively religious, and that appeals to the 
churches for assistance. 

5. That it is our conviction that the plan of work which 
this Council will take up will be so comprehensive as to make 
unnecessary the further increase in the number of undenom- 
inational or interdenominational organizations for special 
work, and will thus protect the churches from many appeals 
for aid which tend to dissipate the energy of the churches 
and to divert the stream of their benevolence from the regular 
and recognized channels. 

6. That all organizations asking regular financial assistance 
_from the churches, be requested to file an annual statement of 
receipts and expenditures with the Executive Committee of 
the Federal Council, together with a brief outline of methods 
employed. 


Co-operation in Foreign Missions 
THe Rev. JAmes L. Barton, D.D.* 


At the request of the Federal Council of the Churches of 
Christ in America this report upon Co-operation in Foreign 
Missions has been prepared. The request came too late for 
correspondence with 
foreign organizations 
and with the mission 
fields, so that it was pos- 
sible in preparing the 
report to have recourse 
only to material already 
in hand. 

It should be stated at 
the outset that foreign 
missions have been the 
university in which our 
churches and home or- 
ganizations have receiv- 
ed their training for co- 
operation and federa- 
tion. Foreign mission 
boards at home and mis- 
sionaries. on the field 
have always been in ad- 
vance of other organiza- 
tions of the church in practical plans of federation for the ad- 
vaneement of Christian work. In the foreign mission field 
denominational differences have been minimized to a greater 
extent than at home. More interdenominational institutions 


THE REV. JAMES L. BARTON, D.D. 


*Chairman of the Committee on Co-operation in Foreign Missions; 
other members: Wm. H. Black, A. B. Curry, E. L. Dobbins, W. J. 
Gaines, J. F. Goucher, E. E. Hoss, W. V. Kelley, A. B. Leonard, S. 
R. Lyons, J. S. Mills, George M. Napier, Paul de Schweinitz, J. Shaw, 
George H. Shields, D. S. Stephens, J. J. Summerbell, C. J. Tannar and 
Ame Vennema. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 28. 


166 


tion than exist in the home field. In countries where Chris- 


 tianity has made the most significant progress the native 


Christians of all denominations are beginning to talk of a 
national church that shall be Christian but not denomina- 


CO-OPERATION IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. lor 
have been organized abroad and are now in successful opera- 


: 
: 
: 


tional. Foreign missionaries have repeatedly declared that 
they would have made more marked advance in this direction 
had it not been that the churches at home were not in sym- 
pathy with such interdenominational movements and demand- 
ed of their missionaries that they keep their work distinct and 
separate from that carried on by other missions and other 
boards. 

There are few mission countries where such testimony could 
not be secured to-day ; nevertheless, the fact remains, as above 
stated, that, in spite of the hindrance presented from the 
home side, foreign mission boards, and especially the mis- 
sionaries at the front, have devised and are now earrying out 
plans of co-operation of great significance and essentially in- 
terdenominational, all representing the oneness of our com- 
mon work. In this report we shall endeavor to present a few 
illustrations of the statements here made. This catalog is 
not exhaustive but may be taken as indicative of the general 
tendency. : 

First, we will speak of the Conference of Foreign Mission 
Boards of North America, which is held annually in January, 
continuing two days, and comprising the officers with dele- 
gates from all the evangelical mission boards of North Amer- 
ica. These meetings are usually in New York. Last January 
the fifteenth annual conference was held. In this gathering 
representatives of forty-six different foreign missicaary or- 
ganizations participated. Each year the proceedings of the 
Conference are printed and distributed among the various 


_ organizations in this country and are sent to the missionaries 


representing these organizations all over the world. In these 
conferences, questions bearing upon comity, co-operation. 


_ forces needed to evangelize the world, division of territory. 


the place of the native church, relations of missionaries to the 
native populations, policy and method of missionary opera- 
tions, and in fact all questions having to do with the finding 


168 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


of missionary candidates, their appointment, their support, 
policy and methods of work on the field, and the fields to be 
occupied, have place upon the program and are freely dis- 
cussed, in the spirit of co-operation and even federation. This 
Conference has a Committee of Reference and Counsel which 
acts for all the denominations in North America. 

This organization has had unmeasured influence in lifting 
up the foreign missionary cause to such a height of Chris- 
tian co-operation that those having part in it are able easily 
to look over denominational division walls and in that loftier 
position to see eye to eye. The co-operation in the fields 
abroad has been helped through this Conference at home while 
on the other hand, the sense of oneness which exists between 
the officers of the mission boards of America has been greatly 
helped by the unity and co-operation abroad. 

Within the last few years there have grown up in this coun- 
try organizations which are, to all intent and purpose, mis- 
sionary, but which are interdenominational—as, for instance, 
the Student Volunteer Movement, the Foreign Department of 
the Young Men’s Christian Association, the Young People’s 
Missionary Movement, and the Laymen’s Missionary Move- 
ment. All these have to do with Foreign Missions, although, 
of those named, only the Foreign Department of the Inter- 
national Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Associa- 
tion sends out missionaries. 

The object of the Student Volunteer Movement is to secure 
candidates, pledged for the foreign missionary work. It is 
wholly interdenominational in its character and in its opera- 
tions. The young people who, under the influence of this 


movement, are led to offer themselves for missionary service 


do so through their respective boards, and go out under de- 
nominational appointment and with denominational support. 

The Young People’s Missionary Movement is the creation 
of the Mission Boards of North America and acts under an 
executive committee composed largely of appointees of these 
various boards. Its purpose is to provide literature for the 
study of missions among the young people in the churches of 
the various denominations and to conduct conferences in the 
interests of such mission study. This movement appoints no 


b ied 


CO-OPERATION IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 169 


missionaries and does not deal directly with missions, but 
deals with the denominational mission boards and acts as their 
agent. Its executive committee and its staff of officers are 
made up of men of various denominations. ‘i'his movement is 
related also to Home Mission work. 

The Laymen’s Missionary Movement has been started and 


‘is conducted in the interests of foreign missions, but is dis- 


tinetly interdenominational. It appoints and sends out no 
missionaries. Its definite object is to stir in the laymen of 
all the churches of the country a deeper interest in Foreign 
Missions and arouse them to a more substantial support of 
the same. While the organization is interdenominational, it 
is expected that the added support thus secured and the added 
interest thus aroused will be directed to strengthen the various 
denominational boards. 

We need not mention in this connection the American Tract 
Society and the American Bible Society, which were organ- 
ized as interdenominational corporations, both of which have 
a large part in the carrying on of direct missionary work 
around the world and in co-operation with all evangelical de- 
nominations. 

As we turn to the foreign field we find various interesting, 
practical plans in operation which prove that a strong, ag- 
eressive Christian work can be carried on under the name 
“‘Christian,’’ with out giving prominence to the denomina- 
tional idea. In some of these union movements the denomina- 
tional name is wholly eliminated. 

In the great mission centers of the world, where more than 
one denomination is represented by missionaries, it is cus- 
tomary to form what is generally called a ‘‘ Missionary Asso- 
ciation,’’ of which all missionaries there located are members. 
These association have a regular organization. In most cases 
a monthly meeting is held for devotional purposes and to dis- 
cuss questions of mission polity and methods of work; not in- 
frequently the Association exercises a measure of directing 
control. In places like Madras, Bombay, Poona and Caleutta, 
India; Colombo, Ceylon; Shanghai, Foochow, Peking, Hong 
Kong, Tientsin, Hankow and many other places in China, as 
well as in other great centers, the missionary association is a 


170 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


strong, powerful, interdenominational, inspiring body of men 
and women. .These assemble at their stated meetings with in- 
terdenominational differences laid aside, and there they pray 
together and discuss the great questions which bear upon the 
common missionary work and endeavor to arrive at such con- 
clusions as shall make that work in every department more of 
a success. 

These interdenominational associations publish no period- 
icals, make no printed reports of their proceedings, do not 
herald abroad the great power and influence of their work, 
and yet they bring together into close fraternal fellowship 
men and women of all the various Protestant denominations 
in a given locality who learn month by month to see more 
clearly eye to eye and to join their forces more effectively for 
a united advance against the powers of evil that confront all 
alike. In these associations we have beautiful examples of 
effective practical interdenominational co-operation. 

Report was made at the Inter-Church Conference, held in 
New York, November 15-21, 1905, on the interdenominational 
work in Japan. This report was printed in the volume entitl- 
ed ‘‘Church Federation,’’ and can be found on pages 355-365. 
In the report that follows it will not be necessary to repeat 
at length what was contained in the report of that date. 

From time to time since 1872, when the first conference 
was held in Yokohama to arrange for the translation of the 
Bible, there have been various gatherings of missionaries in 
Japan to testify to the essential unity of purpose in spreading 
the Gospel of their common Lord. The most notable of these 
were the Osaka Conference of 1881 and the Tokyo Conference 
of 1900. 

As a result of the discussions at the last named conference, 
there arose a desire on the part of the missionaries present for 
a more permanent organization and a more formal co-opera- 
tion in the less obviously denominational departments of 
missionary work. It was thought also that such a body might 
be useful in preventing unseemly rivalry between missions oc- 
cupying the same, or contiguous fields. There was according- 
ly organized what was called the ‘‘Standing Committee of Co- 
operating Christian Missions,’’ made up of delegates from all 


} 


CO-OPERATIUN IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 171 


missions in Japan which might wish to join. As a matter of 
fact nearly all Protestant missions, including Baptists, Con- 
gregationalists, Episcopalians and Methodists, besides a num- 
ber from the smaller denominations, have representation in 
this committee. 

The sixth annual meeting was held last January and its 
report is a record of efficient service. The committee is too 
large for frequent meetings, but is represented, ad interim, 
by an executive committee of seven members, which is clothed 
with large supervisory powers. The scope of the work of this 
standing committee is indicated by the following list of sub- 
committees to which the different departments of its work 
are entrusted: 

Christian Literature, Co-operative Evangelistic Work. 
Speakers from Abroad, Educational and Eleemosynary Work 
and Statistics. Questions of comity between missions come 
within the jurisdiction of the executive, but happily only one 
case has been reported to the committee and that was settled 
by informal conferences, without official action. 

Under the auspices of the standing committee there is pub- 
lished each year a record of the progress of Christian work, 
under the title of ‘‘The Christian Movement in Japan.”’ 
Originally a pamphlet, this publication now appears in book 
form. The fifth annual issue contained altogether 421 pages, 
edited by Rev. D. C. Greene, D.D., chairman of the executive 


committee. 


Naturally as the various branches of the Christian Church 
grow, this association of missionaries will lose its importance 
and the work which it seeks to do will be taken over by a more 
or less similar organization representing the Japanese 
ehurches. This transfer of responsibility is eagerly looked 
forward to by all concerned; but in the meantime there is op- 
portunity for much useful service on the part of the Standing 
Committee of Co-operating Christian Missions. 

Since the early Seventies there has existed in Japan a 
branch of the Evangelical Alliance, which though, technically 
speaking, not a representative body, came by common consent. 
to be the common organ of the Protestant Christians of Japan, 
and its executive committee was always constituted with the 


2 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


view of securing the fullest cathohcity. This Alliance has 
done valuable service in many ways, but during the last 
few years the opinion has come to prevail that the time is 
ripe for a more formal relationship to the churches. Ac- 
cordingly a provisional constitution has been prepared and 
submitted to the local congregations, contemplating a truly 
representative body which, within the limits prescribed, 
shall have full authority to deal with questions of common in- 
terest. Although at last accounts, complete returns had not 
been received, it was clear that the plan had been accepted by 
a sufficient number of churches to warrant calling together 
a national convention of delegates from all Protestant con- 
gregations. It was expected that this convention would meet 
in Tokyo in October or November of the current year. When 
this Federation of Churches is consummated, the Evangelical 
Alliance will cease to exist. 

Probably the first important question to be taken up by 
the new organization will be that of a revision of the Japanese 
version of the New Testament. In the opinion of many the 
time is ripe for undertaking this work and a co-operating 
committee of missionaries has been in part appointed. How 
great an advance in the direction of Church Union will be 
marked by this federation of churches cannot at this stage 
be foretold, but its friends believe that it will not merely lead 
to more economical and efficient work in the more obvious 
fields of co-operative service, but will break down many bar- 
riers to fellowship and give new impetus to that movement 
towards Christian unity which is making itself so strongly felt 
throughout the world. 

From the beginning of missionary work in Korea there has 
always been organic union between the various Presbyterian 
bodies working on the field. The churches have been ec- | 
clesiastically one, which ecclesiastical union was more fully 
consummated in the organization of the First Presbytery in 
September, 1907. This was the completion of unity along the 
lines of ecclesiastical organization. There have been attempts 
at a further union with the Methodists, but the plan has not 
yet been completed so there is at present no organic union 
between the Presbyterians and the Methodists. There is at 


CO-OPERATION IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 173 


present a union tract society, union hymn books, union period- 
icals, and, in some sections, union in school and in hospital 
work. A college at Pyeng Yang is a union institution. 

Once a year there is a council of missions assembled, in 
which all denominations working in Korea, except the Angli- 
cans, have part. In that council are discussed questions of 
comity and co-operation. The general tendency in Korea 
seems to be towards the ecclesiastical union of all the native 
churches of the country. 

We will not dwell upon the union in co-operation of various 
missions and missionaries representing different boards in this 
country under denominations of the same general name, like 
those of the various Presbyterian, Methodist and Episcopal 
orders. These unions are significant and are increasing in 
Japan, Korea and China as well as other countries. 


An Indian National Missionary Society, composed of Chris- 
tians of various denominations, has been organized in India 
for the purpose of carrying on direct Christian missionary 
work for that country, under the direction and control of In- 
dian Christians. This year the first mission of the society 
has been begun in the Montgomery district of the Punjab. 
Initial steps have also been taken for a similar work in western 
India where plans are being formulated for opening another 
mission in the Ahmednagar district of the Bombay Presiden- 
ey. The officers, missionaries and members of this society 
represent different evangelical denominations working in 
India, while the support is expected to come from all de- 
nominations alike. An interesting feature of this organization 
is that is is purely Indian. 

The absence of formidable denominational difficulties in the 
creation of the society demonstrates the fact that national 
churches will probably be more easily formed in mission fields 
than is possible in the homeland. 

The Missionary Conference representing all the Protestant 
denominations working in South India and held in Madras in 
1900, had a strong Committee on Co-operation in Mission 
Work. Their report which was adopted by the Conference 
was as follows: 


174 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


““The best guarantee for the observance of comity is the 
brotherliness created by co-operation in mission work. 

‘‘In considering the sphere of possible and desirable co- 
operation there occur first those numerous departments of 
mission enterprise in which, if the missions work separately, 
the material they work upon must be comparatively scanty, 
and the outlay required in men, time and money, relatively 
large. In all these cases co-operation would immensely con- 
duce to economy and also in many instances promote efficiency 
by increasing the size and importance of the institution. 
Under this head come the examination of missionaries in the 
vernaculars; training of various classes of native agents, es- 
pecially teachers (normal school), Bible women and medical 
agents; all institutions of higher education, such as first grade 
colleges, high schools and colleges for girls, higher industrial 
institutions, hostels in large towns, converts’ homes, rescue 
homes, schools for missionaries’ children, sanitaria for mis- 
sionaries, institutions for special classes, such as the blind, 
leper, the deaf and dumb. ; 

‘* Another direction in which the sphere of possible and de- 
sirable co-operation extends is work by which all the missions 
benefit, but which is too large and too much aside from ordi- 
nary mission tasks for single missions to take up thoroughly. 
The great department coming under this head is literature. 
Why should not all the leading missions enter into definite 
and organized union with the Religious Tract and Christian 
Literature societies, and make the provision of literature— 
books and journals—a strong and regular part of their mis- 
sion operations? At present, literature has to depend on the 
scraps of volunteer attention that a few missionaries can give 
to it. Co-operation could make it, at little expense of time or 
money to any one mission, as powerful a missionary agency 
as it ought to be. 

‘*A third field for co-operation is in those helps to the pro- 
gress of missions which depend for their efficiency on inter- 
mission action. Under this head come conferences and con- 
sultation, collective appeals to Government or the public, sta- 
tistical bureau, ete. : 

‘‘This Conference heartily endorses the principle of co- 


CO-OPERATION IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 175 


operation in missionary enterprise, and considers it invaluable 
for the promotion of comity, as well as for the attainment of 
economy nd efficiency in our common work. We regard the 
frequent gathering of missionaries in conferences for fraternal 
counsel, and the organization of associations for united action 
and appeal, as eminently desirable, and likewise recommend 
that missionary societies unite in the production of Christian 
literature, and that, wherever practicable, neighboring mis- 
sions join in the conduct of colleges, training schools, and 
other institutions.’’ 

In addition to this action the Conference appointed a com- 
mittee representative of the several language areas in India, 
whose duty it was to formulate a scheme for co-operation in 
the production of vernacular literature in each area and to 
- define the relations of missionaries set apart for literary work 
to their mission boards on the one hand and to the tract and 
book societies on the other. The committee is now in opera- 
tion and is working out plans for the closest co-operation in 
the production of a common Christian literature in each lan- 
guage zone. 

At the Fourth Decennial Indian Missionary Conference 
held in Madras, December 11-18, 1902, at which were repre- 
sented all of the evangelical mission boards working in India, 
a special committee on the subject of comity and public ques- 
tions made report. The membership of the committee rep- 
resented something like eighteen different mission organiza- 
tions working in India. In the report, which was accepted by 
the Conference, the following statements occurred : 

““This Conference is itself a testimony to the fact that com- 
ity exists between all the missionary bodies working in India. 
We have not only met for general conference, but for days 
have labored with one another in committees in preparation of 
resolutions and other statements concerning the different 
phases of our work. Moreover, our hearts have been stirred 
within us as we have sat together and listened to one and an- 
other of the brethren setting forth the great spiritual truths 
of the Kingdom of Heaven. United gatherings for the deep- 
ening of spiritual life and for conference and prayer concern- 
ing the common problems and experiences of our missionary 


176 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


work are earnestly commended as means of drawing us nearer 
to one another in the spirit of unity, which is the true basis 
of comity. Organized conferences and associations have al- 
ready made effective the spirit of comity in various lines of 
effort,—such as representations to Government, the dissem- 
ination of information, examination of new missionaries in the 
vernaculars, union hymn books and the investigation of sub- 
jects closely related to the welfare of the Christian commun- 
I oe 

The Conference declared in favor of: 

1. The maintenance of territorial division and the 
general rule that Christian comity should prevent any 
society from unnecessarily entering upon work in areas 
which are effectively occupied by another society. 

2. The formation of provincial or territorial mission- 
ary associations (in addition to local missionary confer- 
ences) representing large areas and many missions. It 
also recommends that effort be made for greater. devel- 
opment of union work in the lines of higher education 
and in the securing of lectures to the non-Christians, and 
in medical, industrial and literary work. 

3. The principle of arbitration on matters of dispute 
between missions, and appointed a Board of Arbitration 
representing forty different mission organizations work- 
ing in India. One of the duties put upon this Board 
by the Conference was the obtaining of detailed informa- 
tion regarding the unoceupied fields in India. Also a 
similar Board was recommended for Ceylon. 

4. The formation of missionary historical societies in 
the various provinces for the collection and preservation 
of facts, valuable documents, and pictures illustrating the 
early history of missionary work in India. 

In the same city of Madras, on July 25-27 of the current 
year, was assembled a company of Christian men and women 
for the purpose of effecting an ecclesiastical union among the 
churches in South India. This union has for years been the 
subject of earnest prayer and effort; in fact, the consumma- 
tion effected at this gathering was actually the coming to- 
gether of two ecclesiastical unions which had existed for some 


CO-OPERATION IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. eT 


years. One of these was the Presbyterian Union of the 
churches of the United Free Church of Scotland in Madras 
and its vicinity, and those of the Dutch Reformed Mission in 
the Arcot district; the other was the Congregational Union 
of the churches of the Missions of the American Board of 
Commissioners for Foreign Missions and the London Mission- 
ary Society, working in Madura and Travancore. This union 
there consummated, represented six missions, embracing a 
Christian community of 148,000 souls, and with 118 or- 
ganized churches. There were present at the Conference more 
than one hundred delegates, of whom three-quarters were In- 
dians. The declaration of union was unanimously adopted. 

The polity which was decided upon blends the excellencies 
of all the systems involved. It recognizes three ecclesiastical 
organizations,—churehes, church councils, and a General As- 
sembly. It conserves to all who desire it the autonomy of 
the individual church, while at the same time it enables such 
churches as may wish so to do to seek advice and direction 
from the Councils. Any church is at liberty to conduct its 
affairs by popular vote, by a committee, or by a body of elders. 
The functions of the General Assembly are mainly advisory 
and not legislative. The confession of the united church is 
brief and to the point; while not evading the statement of any 
important doctrine, it avoids undue elaboration of details. 
It has only five articles. 

In reportiny upon this movement, the Rev. J. P. Jones, 
D.D., states that it is the special merit of this new union that 
it plans to absorb gradually all the outward activities of the 
missions and make them its own; that it is a definite part 
of the scheme of the United Church to take up all forms of 
mission activity in the day of its consummated strength. The 
union of the theological seminaries and of mission magazines 
is already a part of the program. A committee has been ap- 
pointed for the purpose of creating uniformity, so far as pos- 
sible, in such matters as the order of divine service, condi- 
tions of church membership, and marriage rules. 

Delegates from the Wesleyans, the Methodists, and the Bap- 
tists, who were present at the gathering, while expressing 
their inability to unite organically, were nevertheless anxious 


178 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


to draw into closer fellowship and activity on lines of federa- 
tion. A committee was appointed to further and to perfect 
any such scheme and to present the same to the next general 
meeting of the Assembly. 

On the 21st of February, 1907, representatives of various 
missionary societies of South India held a meeting in Madras 
to consider the question of establishing a Union Theological 
College. The resolutions which were there adopted declare 
that the College thus planned for shall be under the manage- 
ment of a committee consisting of representatives of the so- 
cieties uniting in its support. 

In June, 1907, the Committee again assembled at Kodai- 
kanal, South India, and, after several sessions, it was decided 
to recommend to the various Boards represented the formation 
of a Union Theological College, to be located at Bangalore, 
for the purpose of teaching a higher class of agents for work 
as evangelists, pastors and theological teachers. Such Col- 
lege is to be under the management of a Council made up 
of representatives appointed by the various supporting bodies, 
the number of members on the Board depending upon the 
amount of contributions given by the appointing body for the 


support of the College. The Council thus constituted has 


power to add not more than twenty-five per cent. The Coun- 
cil is to have control, over the finances of the College, the de- 
termining of the curriculum, the appointment of teachers, the 
admission of students, and the general oversight of the insti- 
tution. 

In the Bombay Presidency, plans are formulating for a 
Union Mission Normal School at Ahmednagar for the train- 


ing of Christian teachers for the entire Marathi-speaking dis- 


trict. These plans have not yet consummated. 

At the Centenary Missionary Conference held in Shanghai, 
China, in April and May, 1907, a committee consisting of 
fourteen of the leading missionaries in China, and represent- 
ing the same number of mission boards and different denom- 
inations at work in the Empire, made an extended report to 
the Conference. After full consideration and discussion by 
the Conference, action was taken which represented the gen- 
eral sentiment of the Protestant missions working in China 


CO-OPERATION IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 179 


upon the topic discussed. This action appears in the form 
of conclusions and recommendations, and is as follows: 

“‘Having reached this point in our discussion, we bring our 
remarks to a conclusion, hoping the breath of the Eternal 
Spirit may blow upon us and help us to join all hands, cheer- 
fully and enthusiastically to build up the Kingdom which 
shall never be destroyed. God is in these efforts and behind 
the great movement for federation and union. Integration 
will imply some sacrifices and concessions which we must be 
prepared to make. But the object in view will justify stren- 
uous and self-denying activity. If some compromises are 
made, certainly some contribution of power and knowledge 
will come from one to the other. 

“In view of the rising tide of union sentiment in China; 
in view of the call of the Church in all lands; and in view 
of the prayer of Christ and our ability to assist in its an- 
swer: 

‘‘Therefore, resolved that we, as a Conference, pledge our- 
selves to support the great principles of Federation, and while 
looking to a still closer union suggest in the meantime the 
adoption of the following methods: 

““Ist.—The formation of provincial councils in every prov- 
ince of the Empire, in which every mission will be repre- 
sented. 

“‘2d.—The formation of four divisional councils; the mem- 
bers of these councils to consist of delegates from and elected 
by the provincial councils. ; 

‘““3d.—The formation of a national representative council, 
the members of which shall consist of delegates from and elect- 
ed by the divisional councils. 

“‘Ath.—Hach provincial council shall be entitled to two 
representatives of the divisional council, viz: one Chinese and 
one foreigner, irrespective of the number of Christians; and 
an additional representative of two, one Chinese and one for- 
eigner, for each 2,000 communicants. 

““5th.—The representative council shall have power to act 
as the representatives of the entire missionary body in receiv- 
ing and forwarding any communications from or to the Chin- 
ese Government. 


180 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


‘*6th.—That the questions referred to in the outline of ten- 
tative scheme of federation, published by the Peking Com- 
mittee, be brought forward for discussion at the provincial 
council as well as any other question these provincial councils 
may deem of general interest and importance.”’ 

Many delegates of the Conference were ready to go further 
than this, and in the discussions a National Church for China 
was frequently mentioned. A resolution was at one time pre- 
sented looking toward a National Church as the final goal to 
be aimed at in all mission work, but it was deemed wise not 
to bring such a resolution to vote at that time. It was evi- 
dent to all, however, that the spirit of co-operation and unity 
among all Christian organizations in China was manifestly 
prevalent. The tendency is in that direction among all de- 
nominations. 

In North China, centering at Peking, there is already a 
plan of co-operation in educational work which is unique. 
This has been in operation for several years and gains strength 
with each passing year. The basis of union is set forth in the 
following twelve articles: 

‘‘T. The missions of the American Board, the American 
Presbyterian Board, and the London Missionary Society, lo- 
eated in North China, agree to unite in the work of Christian 
Education on the basis set forth below. Other societies, sub- 
scribing to the conditions of this Educational Union, shall be 
received into the Union on terms of equality. 

‘TT, The colleges under the united supervision of the above 
missions shall be known as the North China Union Colleges. 
From the outset four are included in this plan of union: The 
North China Union College of Liberal Arts, The North China 
Union Gordon Memorial Theological College, The North China 
Union Lockhart Medical College, and The North China Union 
Woman’s College. 

‘TIT. The high schools for boys and girls, conducted by the 
above missions shall be affiliated with the union colleges, and 
their courses of study shall be arranged to prepare students 
to enter one of the under-graduate colleges. 

“‘TV. The primary aim of the united colleges shall be to 
educate Christian students for direct Christian work. A 


CO-OPERATION IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 181 


secondary aim shall be to educate students under positive 
Christian influences, with the hope that, whatever may be 
their stations in life, their activities will be regulated by 
Christian motives. 

“*V. The above named colleges shall be located in the three 
missions as follows: The College of Liberal Arts shall be lo- 
eated with the American Board Mission in Tungchou; its 
plant and equipment shall be supplied by the American Board. 
The Medical College shall be located with the London Mission 
in Peking; its plant and equipment shall be supplied by the 
London Missionary Society. The Theological College shall be 
located with the American Presbyterian Mission in Peking; 
its plant and equipment shall be supplied by the Presbyterian 
Board. The Woman’s College shall be located with the Amer- 
ican Board in Péking; its plant and equipment shall be sup- 
plied by the American Board. A 

**VI. When a member of another mission is appointed by the 
board of managers as a teacher in one of the above colleges, a 
residence in the vicinity of the College shall be provided, when 
necessary, by the mission board to which the missionary be- 
longs. 

“VII. All moneys, buildings, lands and other forms of 
property, contributed through a given board to any one of 
the above colleges, together with future gifts to such colleges, 
shall continue under the control of the contributing board, 
and shall be administered in harmony with the will of such 
board. 

“*VIII. No society shall ahenate the property of a given 
college from the use of the College Union, except with the 
consent of the other boards, or after a written notification two 
years in advance of such intended alienation. In the event 
of a society’s withdrawing from, the Union, any property it 
may own, located for the purposes of the Union upon the 
grounds of another society, or in its vicinity, shall be pur- 
chased by that society at a fair valuation. In like manner. 
any property of another society, located for the purposes of 
the Union on its grounds or in its vicinity, shall be purchased 
by the society withdrawing. 

*<TX. The missions constituting this Union shall be equally 


182 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


responsible for the government and administration of the 
Union Colleges, with equal representation in the board of 
managers, and equal privileges for teachers and pupils. 

‘*X. Each of the Missions in the Union shall have the priv- 
ilege of representation by at least one teacher in each of the 
Union Colleges. The teaching faculties of the graduate col- 
leges shall be, as far as practicable, equally divided among the 
missions in the Union, and shall include at least one represen- 
tative of each mission in each college. In the undergraduate 
colleges it is desirable that each mission furnish teachers pro- 
portionate to the number of its students attending a given 
college. The definite adjustment of the teaching staff to the 
student body in the several colleges shall be left to the dis- 
cretion of the board of managers in consultation with the sev- 
eral missions. : 

‘“XTI. All current expenses of the several colleges apart 
from the salaries of such of the foreign staff as are provided 
by the missionary societies, shall be met by fees from the 
students, scholarships, grants from the missions, or from other 
sources. 

‘*XII. The ultimate authority for the government of the 
North China Union Colleges shall be vested in the several mis- 
sion boards represented in the Union. The local administra- 
tion shall be vested in a board of managers on the mission 
field, the manner of whose constitution, and whose powers 
are set forth in the following constitution.’’ 

The American Methodist Mission later entered into the 
Union Medical College. 

In publication work, like the preparation of hymn books, 
responsive readings for the churches, and, in a measure, the 
preparation of general literature, there has been more or less 
co-operation. The movement seems to be toward a clearer un- 
derstanding upon these points and a saving of time and 
strength in all lines of publication work. The Christian Lit- 
erature Society, with headquarters at Shanghai, is interde- 
nominational, having for its object the preparation of a gen- 
eral Christian literature adapted to the Chinese mind and to 
the needs of the present time. 

A meeting which was held in the city of Peking a little 


CO-OPERATION IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 183 


after New Year’s, last winter, is significant in this connection. 
Under the leadership of Pastor Jen, representatives of all who 
believe in Christianity in the city of Peking were invited to 
a meeting in one of the Mission churches, on the eleventh day 
of the new year. There were present at this gathering both 
Chinese and Europeans, representing the Roman Catholics, 
the Greeks, the Anglicans and the Protestants; in fact, all the 
denominations working in Peking and vicinity. There was 
an excellent spirit of enthusiasm and harmony. The large 
church was filled with a company of believers in Christ such 
as have not gathered together before, not only in China but 
‘perhaps in no other country. Fourteen different religious 
bodies were represented. 

A conference was held in New York last October in the 
interests of a proposed Chentu, China, Christian University. 
This plan promises to be one of the most advanced and epoch 
making in the spirit of federation in Christian educational 
work so far attempted. Deputations of four or five each from 
the Friends’ Foreign Missionary Association of London, the 
Methodist Church of Canada, the American Baptist Church, 
and the Methodist Episcopal Church, met in this conference 
and agreed upon plans for a union Christian University for 
the three provinces of West China. Sixty-five acres of land 
have been purchased and divided into six tracts, the central 
tract is for the graduate department of the University; the 
five sections clustering about the center, for the churches en- 
tering into this plan of union, each of which is to erect one 
college building at least, in addition to providing for the 
dormitory accommodations for its own students, but no church 
is to duplicate the work done by the University without the 
approval of the University Senate. A declaration of princi- 
ples was agreed upon and sent to the various Boards for their 
approval. 

When the Philippine Islands were suddenly opened for the 
occupancy of Protestant missionaries an unusual opportunity 
was afforded mission boards to demonstrate their spirit of 
comity and co-operation. One of the first steps was to form 
the Evangelical Union of the Philippine Islands, of which all 


184 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Protestant missions entering upon that work became active 
members. The Constitution of the Union is as follows: 

‘“Article [—Name. The name of this society shall be The 
Evangelical Union of the Philippine Islands. 

‘Article I1.—Object. It shall be the object of this society 
to unite all the evangelical forces in the Philippine Islands 
for the purpose of securing comity and effectiveness in their 
missionary operations. 

‘‘In order that there may be a clearer understanding 
of the purpose of the Union and the meaning of the 
word ‘comity’ as used in Art. II of the Constitution of 
the Union, be it resolved, that each mission and Society 
represented in this Union do hereby pledge themselves 
to the following resolutions: - 

‘‘1, That we recognize and respect the discipline, polity 
and doctrine of every other evangelical church and we 
will ineuleate in the churches under our eare the same 
recognition and respect. 

‘*2. That no members be received from other churches 
without proper certification from their pastors. 

‘*3. Not to engage the services of any member or li- 
censed worker of any other church without mutual agree- 
ment of the missionaries in charge. 

‘‘4. That in medical, educational, publishing and liter- 
ary interests, we strive to avoid duplication of agencies 
in the same field. 

‘‘5. That hereafter any question as to the occupation 
of any territory by any mission or missions, or any al- 
teration or readjustment of lines already agreed upon 
shall be decided by the missions interested in such occu- 
pation, alteration or readjustment. In case of disagree- 
ment, the Executive Committee of the Evangelical Union 
at its annual session or at a special meeting called with 
not less than two months’ notice, shall serve as a Board 
of reference, whose decision shall be respected by the 
Missions directly interested after receiving the approval 
of their respective Boards. 

“Article I1I.—Membership. All regular appointees of 
recognized evangelical organizations working in the Philip- 


CO-OPERATION IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 185 


pine Islands may be members of the Union. Other Christian, 
lay or clerical, may be elected to membership by the Executive 
Committee. 

** Article [V.—Management. There shall be a central Ex- 
ecutive Committee composed of two members from each ree- 
ognized evangelical organization represented in the Union 
and working in the Philippine Islands. Each organization 
shall choose its representative in the Committee. This Com- 
mittee shall consider and make recommendations upon all 
questions referred to them affecting missionary comity in the 
Philippine Islands. The Executive Committee shall elect its 
own officers. 

“* Article V.—General Officers. The general officers of the 
Union shall be a President, two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, 
and a Treasurer, to be elected at the annual meeting on nom- 
ination of the Executive Committee. 

“Article VI.—Amendments. This constitution may be- 
amened upon recommendation of the Executive- Committee 
at any annual meeting of the Union by a majority vote, due 
notice having been given of proposed amendment.’’ 

The by-laws are as follows: 

“Article I—The Executive Committee shall meet once a 
year, or at any time upon the call of the Secretary, for any 
special business to come before the Committee. 

** Article IJ.—The Union shall have an annual convention, 
arrangements for which shall be in the hands of the Execu- 
tive Committee. 

** Article I1J.—One of the duties of the Executive Com- 
mittee shall be to meet and confer with workers of any So- 
cieties that are not now parties to this agreement, and to 
confer with and advise representatives of Societies arriving 
in the future as to the location of their respective fields; also 
to earnestly urge them to become parties to the agreement and 
to choose members who shall represent their Missions in the 
Executive Committee of the Union. 

“*“ Article 1V.—The name ‘Iglesia Evangelica’ shall be used 
for the Filipino Churches which shall be raised up, and when 
necessary the denominational name shall be added in paren- 


186 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


theses, e. g., ‘Iglesia Evangelical de Malibay (Mision Metho- 
dista Ep.) ’’ 

These illustrations, taken from widely separate countries, 
are perhaps sufficient to give an inpression as to the length 
co-operation and affiliation have gone, in some mission fields 
at least. They make clear that the tendency in some missions 
—not to say all—is in the direction of closer interdenomina- 
tional and undenominational affiliation and co-operation. 
There is no doubt that this has gine further in foreign coun- 
tries than it has at home, and that the movement is increas- 
ing with commendable rapidity. We have reason to believe 
that this work will continue, reducing the denominational bar- 
riers which have hitherto seperated between missionaries and 
missions on the field, permitting Christian forces to be joined 
in the interest of economy of administration and effectiveness 
of service rendered. At the same time the different denomi- 
nations thus present to the natives of the country a united 
front, impressing upon them the unity and fellowship of be- 
lievers in Christ, proving that it is possible for different de- 
nominations to unite together in the unity of the spirit and 
in the bonds of peace. Not a few of these cases of union have 
practically eliminated distinctive denominational character- 
istics and exhibit to the people pure Christianity with little 
or no sectarianism. 

The following recommendations were made by the Council: 

1. That these practical and effective efforts at co-operation 
abroad have the hearty and even enthusiastic support of this 
Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. 

2. That home organizations and churches promote in every 
possible way the development of this movement. ~ 

3. That we favor the closest possible federation of all Chris- 
tian churches in Foreign Mission fields. 

4. That we express our approval of union educational in- 
stitutions in mission countries wherever practicable, in which 
teachers and students of various denominations shall have 
equal privileges and opportunities. 

5. That we commend the efforts made to provide an inter- 
denominational vernacular Christian literature of wide See 
for the people of all mission fields. 


State Federations 
By THE Rev. E. TauuMADGE Root.* 


The State Federation is the keynote of the massive arch of 
Christian co-operation now in process of erection. 

The National Federation of Churches kindles enthusiasm by 
the vastness of its con- 
ceptions and _ constitu- 
ency; but it lacks the 
definiteness which local 
tasks alone can give. 
Local Federations, — 
county, city, village or 
township organizations, 
face tasks concrete and 
definite; but they are 
not large enough to 
command great enthusi- 
asm or to enable them to 
escape dangerous fluc- 
tuations of interest 
through change of per- 
sonnel or change of per- 
sonal feeling. 

In contrast with both, 
the State Federation, on 
the one hand, has a 
scope and field not too large to be defined and grasped; and, 
on the other, magnitude enough to fire the imagination and 
elimimate the fluctuations caused by the ever-changing per- 
sonnel of pastors and church-leaders. Thus the State Federa- 


REY. E. TALLMADGE ROOT. 


*Chairman of the Committee on State Federations; other mem- 
bers: O. P. Gifford, H. M. Bell, W. H. Bolster, S. P. Cresap, E. A. El- 
more, Charles R. Erdman, John Galbraith, T. W. Henderson, Walter S. 
Hoye, H. W. Jessup, George R. Lunn, Wallace McMullen, F. T. Rouse, 
S. O. Royal and W. W. Smith. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 42. 
187 


188 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES UF CHRIST. 


tion is able to supplement the national movement on one side 
and local movements on the other, giving the former definite- 
ness, and the latter inspiration and momentum. The success 
of church federation, therefore, depends upon the efficiency 
of the State Federations. Upon this important topic, your 
Committee is asked to report. 

It is gratifying to your Committee that it is not obliged to 
theorize, but is able to describe the proper organization and 
functions of a State Federation on the basis of the practical 
experience of successful organizations. 

Two types have contributed to the present ideal. The 
older is the Interdenominational Commission, organized in 
Maine in 1891, with the specific task of avoiding hopeless de- 
nominational rivalry in small fields. The second is the Fed- 


eration, the name and essential principles, viz: accurate knowl- — 


: 


: 
: 


edge of the religious conditions and needs, being suggested by — 


the success of the organization of churches in New York 
formed in 1895. The principle was first applied to State, as 


to National, org-uization in 1900. The aims and methods of 


the Maine Commission were included. 

We append a table of State Federations, so far as they have 
been reported to us, giving date and basis of organization, as 
well as lines of work developed. From personal knowledge 
or correspondence, your Committee submits the following out- 
line of what actual experience seems to show should be the 
organization and work of a State Federation. 

The gist of the matter may be compressed into the follow- 
ing definition: ‘‘A State Federation of Churches is a joint 
committee, officially representing the denominational bodies, 
to learn all the facts and ally all the factors, and thus to over- 
come our overlapping and our overlooking.’’ 

A State Federation is a joint-committee of officially ap- 
pointed representatives of the State denominational bodies. 
The essential requirement is that the federation must in some 
way officially represent the denominations. If it does not do 
this, if it is a council of selected individuals, or of delegates 
from local churches or councils of churches, it may be an 
excellent thing, but it is not a federation of churches. The 
fundamental theory is that the denominations are accepted 


STATE FEDERATIONS. 189 


as they exist, without debate as to their justification or perma- 
nence, and the admitted evils of this form of ecclesiastical 
organization are to be remedied by a federal union which 
leaves unimpaired their independence. The theory may be 
illogical, but it accords with the characteristic methods of the 
Anglo-Saxon as contrasted, e. g., with the logical French 
race. 

This requirement is accepted by all existing State Federa- 
tions. They make denominational representation the basis: 
although, as we shall see, some add representatives of inter- 
denominational organizations or local co-operative councils. 
Differences in application may be noted. 

(1) Quota of Representation. The commissions give all 
denominations an equal representation, usually three.* The 
federations recognize the equality of all denominations by 
giving to each one a representative, and the justice of a repre- 
sentation proportionate to strength, by allowing one addi- 
tional delegate for a specified number of communicants, vary- 
ing from 3,000 in Rhode Island to 15,000 in New York. Wis- 
consin combines the two plans by giving each denomination 
three members, to begin with. 

(2) Definition of ‘‘State Body.’’ Some difficulty arises 
from the fact that denominational organizations do not al- 
ways coincide with State lines. Thus, many Methodist Epis- 
copal conferences overlap, e. g. six conferences, only one 
lying wholly within the state, are asked to appoint delegates to 
the Massachusetts Federation. The yearly meeting of many 
smaller bodies embraces several States. This difficulty is 
overcome by asking such bodies to appoint delegates to each 
state federation in proportion of its communicants within the 
State. 

(3) Seope of invitation. The Commissions have been con- 
fined to a group of denominations kindred in conceptions and 
methods of Christian work. Some of the federations make it 
their avowed aim to include every ecclesiastical body recog- 
nized as Christian, the term in some cases being defined doc- 
trinally and in other cases practically. 


*The Methodist Episcopal Church, haying two conferences in Maine, 
has four, to allow equal division. 


190 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


The State Council thus formed of official denominational 
representatives, alone or with other members, constitutes the 
governing body, to which officers and committees are respon- 
sible, and whose members in turn are responsible to the de- 
nominational bodies respectively appointing them. In most 
States, the whole Council meets only once a year, or at call. 
In others there are both spring and fall meetings. An ex- 
ecutive committee, sometimes consisting of a representative 
from every denomination, is authorized to act in the interims. 

In some States, the council has decided that, in order to 
secure steady and logical development, some one man must — 
be enabled to devote his whole time to the work. Two States, 
by jointly employing the same man, secure the advantages of 
economy and of sharing each other’s experience. The chief 
hindrance is the difficulty of raising sufficient funds. It 
may also be said that the employment of a salaried executive 
will prove a disadvantage, if it weakens in any degree the 
sense of responsibility felt by the members of the council. In 
the very nature of Church Federation, the deliberations of the — 
council as representing the denominations are the essential 
thing, the work of the executive being only preparatory and 
supplementary. In proportion as this is realized, it is to be 
expected that the sessions of the council will grow in dignity, 
importance and volume of business. It is the Senate of the 
Federated Churches of the Commonwealth. 

The only serious embarrassment in the development of a 
State Federation now arises from the side of finances. We 
believe that the proper method of providing adequate income 
is by appropriation of its just quota by each denominational 
body, from its general or special funds. By this act, a dig- 
nity is given to the organization which it can receive in no 
other way, and which it deserves in view of its unique nature. 
It is the Hague Tribunal of the Churches; and like that 
international bureau, should be directly supported by the 
ecclesiastical states composing it. This principle is slowly but 
surely establishing itself, in spite of admitted difficulties. The 
risk of establishing a precedent, to which other interdenom- 
inational organizations may appeal for appropriations, is 
eliminated, if the uniqueness of Church Federation is clearly 


STATE FEDERATIONS. 191 


held. The next best method, prevailing in one State, is to ask 
for appropriations from the funds of the stronger local 
churches. Both methods must at present, probably, be sup- 
plemented by personal contributions from individuals who 
recognize the far-reaching significance of the movement. The 
New England federations have raised the question of the 
endowment of each State. A moderate endowment would re- 
move all embarrassment, relieve the already overburdened 
churches, and stimulate pregress immensely. In what way 
could any man of wealth do to-day more for every BEES 
and every good cause in his commonwealth? 

To learn all the facts and to ally all the factors is the only 
method of usefulness open to a federation. 

I. To learn all the facts. A voluntary federation of de- 
nominations, some of which, being centralized in government 
cannot admit any external authority, and others of which in- 
sist on the autonomy of the local church even within the de- 
nomination, in the nature of the case, can possess no au- 
thority bu the logic of the facts. To this, it may appeal; and 
it needs no other authority. As a joint bureau of information, 
it will avoid prejudice and suspicion, and soon win a recog- 
nized place of growing usefulness, securing necessary co- 
operation and readjustment, without coercion, by the mere 
force of the facts and their appeal to Christian public senti- 
ment. 

Among the facts, which its office must collect and make 
available, in order to perform this function, the following may 
be named : 

(1) A list of all the pastors in the State, and possibly 
ehurech-clerks and laymen of prominence, in every local com- 
munity. The federation requires such a list for its own use 
in distributing information to form public opinion; and can 
serve all interdenominational causes by furnishing duplicates, 
for which there is frequent call. To compile and keep up to 
date is no small task. 

(2) A list of all churches in each city or township, with 
location by ward or village, membership, and income. This 
information is necessary both for statistical investigations, the 


192 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


discovery of overlapping, and the intelligent promotion of 
local co-operation. 

(3) A compilation of statistics, civil and religious, State and 
local, as the basis for the study of the task and degree of 
success of the churches in reaching the entire population. 

(4) A file of letters, reports, and documents, giving further 
information about localities and local churches, especially 
their experiments in co-operation. This should inelude an- 
nual reports of all denominational bodies, the histories and 
anniversaries of local churches, newspaper clippings of any 
permanent importance. All denominational papers should be 
on file. 

(5) Diagrams, charts and maps, to present the common 
tasks of the churches to the eye, should be prepared and made 
available for all. : 

(6) A lst of interdenominational organizations for reli- 
gious education or evangelism, philanthropy or reform, with 
information as to their organization, income, and work. 

(7) A reference library of books on practical methods es- 
pecially of co-operation and service to the community. 

In short, the federation should, and may, become a com- . 
plete bureau of religious information, to which in time every 
Christian worker will get into the habit of turning, because 
he can there learn what he needs to know as nowhere else. 
Since knowledge is power, it will, in this way, secure, without 
any suspician of infringing upon denominational or local inde- 
pendence, a recognized place and influence. It will, further- 
more, create the motive. 

II. To ally all the factors. This is its real task. By its 
progress in allying the factors, its success is to be judged. 
The inertia which it must overcome is the traditional lack 
of co-operation between ecclesiastical bodies. By the logic 
of the facts, it must convince the denominations of the state, 
and the churches of each community, of the imperative neces- 
sity of concerted action in order to accomplish their common 
tasks, e. g., in Rhode Island, a study of the missionary needs 
of the State, especially among the foreign-born, was furnished 
to every Congregational pulpit for a sermon on a given Sun- 
day. The next day, a leading business man remarked: ‘‘] 


STATE FEDERATIONS. 193 


see that the churches of the State never can meet these needs 
unless federated.’’ That remark made possible a laymen’s 
luncheon, to which through his generosity, 100 leading men of 
all denominations were invited, and at which was secured an 
advisory finance committee of leading capitalists. When the 
churches are thus convineed, the federation must be able to 
furnish them with information as to organization and meth- 
ods and to render any other assistance needed. 

Let it be noted that the federation itself is not a ‘‘factor.’’ 
When asked: ‘‘What is your federation doing?’’ the proper 
answer is: ‘‘Nothing! It does not exist to do anything. It 
is not to be efficient, but a coefficient. If it did anything by 
itself, however efficiently, it would defeat its own end, which 
is to enable the churches themselves to act together so as to 
secure greater efficiency in their own distinctive work.’’ Some 
local movements, to emphasize this, have hit upon the happy 
term: ‘‘The Federated Churches’’ instead of ‘‘The Federa- 
tion.’’ 

As previously explained, the denominational bodies are 
allied by their appomtment of representatives on the State 
Council. Time and effort are required to see that the request 
is presented to every ecclesiastical organization, delegations 
appointed, and the annual reports made to it, by the delega- 
tion of the field secretary, so as to sustain and increase the 
interest. 

There are also many scattered undenominational or union 
churches, of varying strength, but all lacking the broader 
sympathy, counsel and backing, and the outlet for missionary 
zeal, which a denominational connection gives. Ascertaining 
the existence of these by its knowledge of every community, 
the state federation, without infringing their independence 
or forming a new denomination can bring them into touch 
with each other and with the Federated Churches of the 
State. 

Some federations invite interdenominational organizations 
like the Sunday-school Association, Anti-Saloon League, etc., 
to appoint representatives, with the design of making the fed- 
eration a clearing-house and alliance of all the moral and reli- 
gious factors of the state. Practically, the advantage of this 


194 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


has not always been apparent; possibly owing to a natural 
jealousy on the part of these older organizations toward an 
organization with more comprehensive claims. But this al- 
liance has been conspicuously successful in the Wisconsin 
Federation, which makes it a marked feature, by joint conven- 
tion and joint periodical. In Rhode Island, the representa- 
tives of Brown University and the State Agricultural College 
have proved of inestimable service. ‘‘All the factors’’ may 
wisely be defined to include more than the denominational 
organizations. 

Some federations, e. g., Wisconsin, invite also local fed- 
erations to appoint one representative and one additional for 
each 2,000 communicants in the membership of their con- 
stituent churches. The advantage is that the interest of the 
local organizations in their own and the state movement is 
stimulated, and the plan of organization made theoretically 
complete. Other States have rejected the proposition, as an 
attempt to combine two incompatible bases of representation, 
and to make organization unnecessarily cumbersome. But 
whether it gives them representation or not, a large part of 
the task of the State Federation is to organize the churches in 
every minor political division, i. e. city or township. By po- 
litical divisions, rather than villlages, for several reasons: 

(1) Only by covering every political division, can we be 
sure that the whole State is covered. 

(2) To ascertain the task before the local churches and their 
efficiency in meeting it, religious and civil statistics must be 
compared; and the latter are for political divisions. 

(3) Civie action on the part of the churches, i. e. in law- 
enforcement, must proceed on lines of township, ete. 

(4) Even if the churches could otherwise accomplish their 
own ends otherwise, they owe it to the community to strength- 
en the local civie life, expressed in the town- —— ete:, 
too much weakened to-day. 

When it bas convinced the churches of any community of the 
necessity of alliance, the State Federation must be prepared 
to give them information as to methods of organization and 
work. There are now tested types of co-operation adapted re- 
spectively to city, village, and rural township. The full dis- 


es 


a ee 


—— a 


STATE FEDERATIONS. 195 


cussion of these methods belongs to another of your commit- 
tees, and we shall refer to their work under our third head- 
ing. It is sufficient to note here that local organization may 
belong to either of two types. These are known in Massa- 
chusetts and Rhode Island as ‘‘The Westerly Way’’ and 
“*Methuen’s Method.’’ 

(1) ‘‘The Westerly Way’’ assumes that the pastors ex 
officio represent the churches, and may, without formal au- 
thorization, organize and act in their name. In some eases, 
such a ministerial body has even adopted the name ‘‘The 
Federated Churches.’’ The advantage of this plan is its sim- 
plicity and economy of time and organization. Pastors know 
what is needed, and it can be done with less discussion. The 
success and permanence of the plan, however, depends on the 
personality and mutual confidence of the ministers. 

(2) In ‘‘Methuen’s Method,’’ the churches join the League 
by formal vote, and agree to certain lines of co-operation, as 
stated union meetings, a periodic canvass, ete. They may ap- 
point pastors and delegates to constitute the voting body; or 
all the members of the churches may be entitled to vote at the 
annual meeting. The advantage of the plan is that it com- 
mits the churches themselves, and renders permanence less 
dependent on the personality of the pastors. In one or other 
of these ways, the State Federation should ally the churches 
of every subdivision. Where there are too few churches in 
a township, neighboring towns may of course be grouped. 

But organization is only a means. The challenge of a busi- 
ness man remains to be answered: ‘‘But what can the 
churches do together?’’ This involves our third head: 

III. The work to be done. Prof. Commons has aptly said 
that the two great faults of our American denominationalism 
are its overlapping and its overlooking. Work is overcoming 
resistence along a line. The work which Church Federation 
has to do is this: To overcome our overlapping and our over- 
looking. 

1. To overcome our overlapping. This was the first need 
to be realized. To meet it the Maine Interdenominational 
Commission was organized in 1891, and has blazed the way 
which the whole country is now beginning to follow. The 


196 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


five denominations represented adopted at the outset these 
seven principles: 

That church extension into destitute communities 
should be conducted, as far as practicable, according to 
the following considerations: 

1. No community, in which any denomination has any 
legitimate claim, should be entered by any other denom- 
ination through its official agencies without conference 
with the denomination or denominations having said 
claims. : 

2. A feeble church should be revived, if possible, rather 
than a new one established to become its rival. 

3. The preferences of a community should always be 
regarded by denominational committees, missionary 
agents, and individual workers. 

4. Those denominations having churches nearest at 
hand should, other things being equal, be recognized as 
in the most advantageous position to encourage and aid 
a new enterprise in their vicinity. 

5. In case one denomination begins gospel work in a 
destitute community it should be left to develop that 
work without other denominational interference. 

6. Temporary suspension of church work by any de- 
nomination occupying a field should not be deemed suffi- 
cient warrant in itself for entrance into that field by 
another denomination. Temporary suspension may be 
deemed abandonment when a church has had no preach- 
ing and held no meetings for an entire year or more. 

7. All questions of interpretation of the foregoing 
statements, and all cases of friction between denomina- 
tions, or churches of different denominations, should be 
referred to the Commission through its executive com- 
mittee. 

During the first thirteen years of the Commission’s exist- 
ence, there were fifty-one communities on record, where en- 
croachment, friction or competition of some kind had ealled 
for adjustment. In three new villages, the order in which 
churches ought to enter was amicably settled. In one-half of 
the twelve cases of formal arbitration, the decision of the 


STATE FEDERATIONS. 197 


committee has been accepted, the denomination so advised 
withdrawing; and in six eases, the decision has been disre- 
garded, in thirty-seven cases, consultation and friendly con- 
ference have sufficed to adjust the strain. Many other in- 
stances have shown that the very existence of the Commission 
prevents aggression or insures voluntary adjustment. In 
1908, the Commission decided to make a comprehensive study 
of the whole State, to discover all existing cases of overlap- 
ping, and to take the initiative in proposing adjustment. By 
this comprehensive survey, it hoped to be able to point out op- 
portunities for mutual exchange, so that ‘‘in one town de- 
nomination A may surrender to B its church interests, and in 
another town, B may surrender an equal interest to A.’’ Not 
merely the commissions but the federations as well have gen- 
erally adopted the Maine methods. 

A somewhat different line of approach has been adopted 
by two federations which face a more complex situation be- 
cause of the larger number of denominations represented, re- 
spectively fourteen and seventeen, and the larger and more 
heterogeneous population, foreign and urban. The following 
**Plan to Promote Comity’’ was adopted by both in 1905: 

(1) To form public opinion, publish the facts, both 
general and typical. 

(2) Call conferences of denominational authorities 
that acquaintance with each other’s work and personality 
may prevent or remove misunderstandings, and secure 
voluntary readjustments. 

(3) Urge upon denominations anywhere found over- 
lapping the importance of adjusting their work by ne- 
gotiation and where possible by exchange of fields. 

(4) Provide arbitrators, where this is required and 
requested, whose decision shall have only the authority 
of its own obvious wisdom and the Christian public senti- 
ment back of it. 

Gratifying progress has been made in all these lines. The 
publication of facts is rapidly forming public sentiment. The 
conferences have proved happy and helpful. Increasing will- 
ingness to yield for the sake of readjustment is manifest on 
the part of denominational secretaries; the chief difficulty 


198 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


arising from the inertia of the local churches. The aim has 
been to avoid putting any denomination in the position of a 
defendant. The watchword is negotiation rather than arbi- 
tration. A complete list of all the churches in the State is 
being made to discover every case of overlapping. 

The readjustment of our overlapping is doubtless a long 
and difficult task; but it is one which will in time be com- 
pleted. It is the negative and temporary side of church fed- 
eration. The permanent and positive work is: 

2. To overcome our overlooking. In spite of churches so 
numerous that they duplicate and interfere, there are multi- 
tudes of neglected neglectors both among the incoming multi- 
tudes, the crowded population of the cities, and the scattered 
habitants of declining rural towns. They neither attend nor 
eare for the Church. Present methods seem powerless to 
reach them. Unless the Church can find a way to make the 
indifferent different, it must confess future progress impossi- 
ble. If it despairs of reaching the last, least and lowest of the 
lost, it is false to its Master!. In seeking the true method, two 
principles seem obvious: 

(1) Knowledge of men alone gives power over men. The 
time has come when the churches may and must know every 
individual in the entire community as accurately as they now 
know their own membership. 

(2) This must be done co-operatively; both because the 
task is too vast for any one church or denomination, and be- 
cause the churches are so close together, that unless they in- 
tentionally co-operate they will inevitably compete. 

These principles may be adapted and adopted in every type 
of community. It is the work of the State Federation to see 
that their importance and adaptability is understood, and 
that they are put into practice by each local group of 
churches. To the cities it may recommend the co-operative 
parish plan. To large villages and suburbs, the Jamaica 
plan of a joint visitor; and to rural churches, town or county 
federation. It thus becomes possible, as in two States already, 
to announce the watchword: ‘‘Some church responsible for 
each square mile!’’ Responsible, i. e. to know and seek in 
some way every individual therein, mutually reporting pref- 


STATE FEDERATIONS. 199 


erences to sister churches. The area of each ‘‘responsibility 
district,’’ of course, varies from one city block to a whole 
town of forty square miles. The keynote is responsibility ! 
Dynamite is in that word! Its significance once realized, it 
will revolutionize the relation of the churches to the com- 
munity and to each other. 

Of course, knowledge is but the fundamental prerequisite of 
persistent evangelism, using invitation printed, penned and 
personal, as well as the mass-meeting; and evangelism is but 
the beginning of service on the part of the federated churches 
to the community. But such systematic knowledge of men and 
conditions is the indispensable first step in all lines of service. 
It will discover the real problems, rouse the churches, show 
them the defects of their work and guide them to new tasks 
and new methods. The churches have as great an opportunity 
as ever to-day, if they will combine to meet the real needs of 
each community, from building roads and organizing indus- 
try, like John Frederick Oberlin, to swinging the thought of 
a whole great metropolis to religious things by concerted evan- 
gelism. The State Federation, like a general, taking in the 
whole field, can suggest what is needed at each point, and 
make possible what we have never had before, a systematic 
campaign to Christianize every phase of the life of the entire 
Commonwealth! 


But overlapping and overlooking do not exhaust the needs 
that call for Church Federation. We summarize other possi- 
bilities under a third topic: 


3. Co-operation in common tasks. The chief, and only 
serious objection to Church Federation is the multiplicity 
of existing interdenominational organizations. ‘‘Why an- 
other?’’ is often asked. 


The objection, upon examination, turns into an argument. 
Why have we so many organizations? Because hitherto the 
churches have co-operated piecemeal, forming a new agency 
every time they have discovered a new need for co-operation. 
The peculiarity of federation is that it is an organization, not 
to do any specific thing, but whatever the churches need and 
desire to do together. It will, therefore, not only render un- 


200 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


necessary further multiplication of agencies, but will make 
possible elimination and consolidation of those now existing. 

It is necessary to enumerate only a few of the lines that 
have been taken up by state federations to illustrate the pos- 
sibilities. 

As a bureau of information, the federation may render 
valuable service, not merely in making a study of missionary 
needs, as the number, increase and location of the incoming 
multitudes; but also by investigating special problems like 
the boarding-house population, religious education, and by 
making known new methods, like the Vacation Daily Bible 
School. Upon the basis of.a study of the multiplicity of phil- 
anthropic organizations, one federation called the attention 
of the public to the danger of duplication and the wisdom of 
investigation before forming new organizations, if not, of 
merging those existing,—an address which struck fire at once. 

The enforcement and improvement of law often becomes the 
imperative duty of Local or State Federations, especially in 
regard to Sunday-rest, liquor-selling, sexual immorality and 
child labor. The policy of the federation should be to use 
and back up the organizations existing for these specific ends. 
But it should emphasize the importance of the ‘‘responsibility 
districts,’’ which it establishes. When these cover the State, 
and the churches so appreciate their opportunity and respon- 
sibility, that each church will know the position of every voter 
on moral issues and tirelessly work to place every one upon the 
right side, moral reforms will come swiftly and permanently. 
The fort is then built, the guns placed, ready for any emer- 
gency. 

In one State, a committee on public opinion, feeling in- 
competent to express what it has no means of ascertaining, is 
forming a body of counsellors, covering every community, 
class and denomination, who may give voluntary or requested 
expressions of opinion. 

One committee on comity has attempted to define the prin- 
ciples which should guide pastors and church workers in pas- 
toral visitation and invitation. 

The usefulness of an official organ, regularly mailed to every 
pastor and to as large a number of subscribers as possible, in 


STATE FEDERATIONS. 201 


order to report facts and form public sentiment, is suggested 
by the practice of several States. 

The usefulness of the field secretary in reflecting back to 
the churches, in sermons and addresses, the impressions made 
upon one given the unique opportunity of studying the reli- 
gious needs of the commonwealth from the standpoint of all 
the churches combined, should also be noted. In all these 
ways, the State Federation may, and already does, make the 
practical unity of the churches of Christ in its commonwealth 
a tangible reality. 

Our conclusion, from this review of the actual experience 
of existing State Federations, is that such organizations are 
both practicable and necessary, and that there has already 
been worked out a practical program of activities as definite 
and comprehensive as has ever been proposed for any religious 
or civic campaign. We have planned the work; let us work 
the plan. 

And furthermore, we feel that far more important than 
any conerete results in moral reforms, ecclesiastical growth, 
or even the deepening of the religious life of individuals and 
communities, will prove the demonstration of the essential 
unity of the Christian forces of the Commonwealth. They do 
not need to be made one. They need only to be convinced that 
they are one,—one, not in polity, but in purpose; not in doc- 
trine, but in the practical effort ‘‘to do,’’ as Christ said, ‘‘the 
will of my Father which is in Heaven.”’ 


202 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


TABLE OF STATE FEDERATIONS 


The following table of State Federations and the definite 
lines of work in which several of them are engaged will be 


read with interest: 


General co-operation. Monthly organ. 


South Dakota.—Comity. Local co-operation. 


Vermont.—Comity. Investigation. 


Wisconsin.—Comity. General co-operation. 


org.’ 


Moral issues. 


a ey Sa 
: g | seg 
. oe ~ 
E E cE: 
5 4 q | 838 
3S J Ed 5 Bg 
S 8 eh A 2:4 
STATE s 8 os = Se 
a I ee eateted|” Ee abn 
outa oe Ss | 83 
o E 8 g3 5 
zoe g B= | Bs 
a a e A A 
Connecticut; ............. Bed. . 1906 i tom0:00 0S iia eee ee 
Main Gs. ic See catetacsctsasereseles sete Com. 1891 3 each Det getctstare 
Massachusetts, .......... Fed. 1901 1 to dS 000 Sesser 
Montana yi eeerpe- ieee Com. 1906 3 each Die commer 
Nebraska, 625 .5o.0 usec Fed.. 1909. ..ccepeee eee ene 
New Hampshire, ........ Com. 1903 3 each 4 
New ‘Jersey, ¢sassa-oee Fed. WEE oc, ison nk at, 308 sce 
New: York i: cco aye asset Fed. 1900 1t0 15,000 6 Invited 
North Dakotas = ere Re ES ho LS ocionco 
Ohio; ukisn3 ee eee Fed... 1901.) 2.4333 eee 
Pennsylvania, ........... By. Al. 7. sii. accion 
Rhode sland "ea. ns eee Fed. 1901 1 to 3,000 17 7 
South Dakota, s2ensece- Bed. 1905 3 & 105,000) 255 eee 
WW ital. sce ss ecqeregempeetia seas MEE oc SSG Bsc ae 
= Mermont,” ax nies erences Com. 1899 3 each DAP eRN Nites 
Wisconsin, ............. Fed. 1898 1to 10,000 ala 6 
*Being organized. 
LINES OF WoRK. 
Maine.—Comity. Local co-operation recommended. 
Massachusetts.—Comity. Three types of local co-operation. General 
co-operation. Investigation. 
Montana.—Comity. 
New Hampshire.—Comity. Local co-operation recommended. 
New York.—Comity. Local Federations. Moral issues. Investigation. 
Rhode Island.—Comity. Local co-operation, three types. Investigation. 


Organ jointly with other 


STATE FEDERATIONS. ; 203 


Declarations and Recommendations. 


The Committee recognizing the practical efficiency of State 


_ Federations in allying forces and allaying friction, in ascer- 


taining religious needs, and applying the principles of co- 
operation to the statesmanship and diplomacy of the Church, 
desires to make the following declarations and recommenda- 
tions: 


I. DECLARATIONS 


1. By an experience beginning in Maine in 1890, we deem 
it to have been proven that Christian denominations, in the 
spirit of mutual respect and confidence, evincing broad and 
charitable toleration each toward the other, can co-operate, by 
courtesies extended and received, by combination of work and 
worker, and by concession and surrender of advantage and 
privilege in concrete cases. The recognition of the individual- 
ity and the parity of denominations has been demonstrated 
to be not a dream, but a reality. 

2. We regard the federation of the churches of Christ in 
the various States of the Nation as indispensable in the real- 
ization of the Federal Idea of Christian Forces for which this 
organization stands. The State Federation is neither too large 
to lose sight of local conditions, nor too small to fail of the 
best leadership and the highest ideals. 

3. We do not approve of the formation of so-called ‘‘union 
churches,’’ independent of denominational association and 
supervision, although we recognize their utility in many 
places and would not wish them disturbed wherever they are 
useful. But the denomination should be the unit of inde- 
pendency in federation, for it alone maintains agencies for 
missionary activities at home and abroad; for Christian edu- 
eation; for the publication of Christian books, tracts, and 
periodicals; and for the maintenance and supervision of an 
approved Christian ministry. 

4. We do not advise or expect men, under the inspiration 
of the federative principle, lightly to exchange denomina- 
tional connection and lose the bond of peculiar devotion and 
attachment which unites them each to the denomination of 


204 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


his own choice, but we do expect each Christian, while pecu- 
larly of one branch of the Great Kingdom, to recognize all 
other branches as branches, and himself in right relation to 
the whole. The principle of federation, while unsectarian, is 
still consistently denominational. 


Il. RECOMMENDATIONS 


1. We recommend to the several denominations, affiliated in 
this Federal Council, that they either formally recommend, 
or at least authorize, their constituent bodies in the several 
States to enter into co-operation and federation with the con- 
stituencies of other denominations in their States, for the 
more efficient extension of the Kingdom of Christ, and the 
fuller expression of His spirit among His disciples. It seems 
desirable that State Federations should have the approval and 
sanction of the highest ecclesiastical authorities to which the 
several federating members are amenable, and that State 
Federations be thereby recognized as orderly and authorized 
expressions of comity and co-operation, known and approved 
by each denomination at its headquarters. 

2. We recommend that each denomination, through its ap- 
propriate organizations and agencies, direct that its superin- 
tendents, missionaries, or agents, as its official representatives 
in the home field may be designated, should seek to foster the 
organization of State Federations, and should observe, in deal- 
ing with other religious bodies or in planting new churches, 
and in sustaining weak churches of their own faith and order, 
the principles of comity and co-operation usually embodied in 
the platform of a State Federation. 

3. We recommend to the leaders of denominational enter- 
prises in the several States in which now no State Federation 
exists, that they investigate the operation of the federative 
idea in other states and examine conditions within their own 
States, in order to ascertain whether a federation of churches, 
or interdenominational commission, might not promote the 
interests of the Kingdom in their own States. Far better is 
it for the principle of federation to spring up within the limits 
of a State, or at least to find receptive appreciation within the 


STATE FEDERATIONS. 205 


State, than for it to be brought in from without the State by 
any propaganda, however persuasive and convincing. 

4. As for the character of a State Federation we recom- 
mend: 

(a) That membership in it be elective, or appointive, so 
that each member shall be a delegate from, and a representa- 
tive of his own denomination within the State: 

(b) That membership be continuing, to the extent at least 
that all terms of membership shall not expire in the same 
year: 

(ec) That the functions of the federation be plainly stated 
and described as an advisory council without ecclesiastical 
authority so that each State organization of a denomination 
may clearly understand the federal compact and know that 
by sending delegates to the federation, or commission, it is 
surrendering no powers or responsibilities inherently its own. 

(d) That the federation be regarded as a common meeting 
ground for the denominations, not a new organization, but a 
new point of view; not a federation, so much as the churches 
federated; it is not to divert energy or consume energy, so 
much as it is to direct the energy of the denominations into 
more useful channels and more promising fields, and thereby 
save energy and make-it more productive of good, and spe- 
cifically it is to make churches and Christians more efficient 
in their own distinctive work and to see that the whole com- 
monwealth is so ministered to and cared for that some church, 
or group of churches, shall be responsible for every square 
mile. ’ 

(e) That the federation be deemed the proper center for 
co-operation in doing whatever may be wise for the churches 
to do together either in civil, moral, philanthropic, or reli- 
gious lines, and by its existence and its use for this purpose 
the further multiplication of organizations akin to the Church 
may become unnecessary and their combination and consolida- 
tion at some time be rendered possible. 


Organization and Development 


Tue Rev. E. R. Henprrx, D.D., LL.D.* 


Three years ago the Protestant churches of this land ac- 
knowledging Jesus Christ as their divine Lord and Saviour, 
met in New York, not that they might be made one, but, be- 
cause they were already 
one. They had been 
building on the same 
foundation of the apos- 
tles and prophets, Jesus 
Christ Himself being 
the chief corner-stone. — 
The workmen at last 
saw eye to eye and the 
watchmen on the walls 
found themselves talk- 
ing together in love and, 
without even undue dil- 
igence, keeping the uni- 
ty of the Spirit in the 
bond of peace. They 
simply registered a uni- 
ty which had already 
come into being, the un- 
conscious growth of 
many years. 

The dawn which had already been approaching was now 


THE REY. E. R. HENDRIX, D.D., LL.D. 


*Chairman of the Committee on Organization and Development; 
other members: John Bath, A. R. Browne, John B. Calvert, Hanford 
Crawford, W. B. Derrick, R. Dubs, Levi Gilbert, R. H. Hartley, Morris 
W. Leibert, Rivington D. Lord, Rufus W. Miller, H. H. Oberly, Edward 
G. Read, Wm. H. Roberts, E. B. Sanford, Adolf Schmidt, A. 8. Shelly, 
C. W. Smith, Henry Spellmeyer, 8. P. Spreng, Wm. C. Stoever, Martyn 
Summerbell, F. T. Tagg, Charles Tebbits, Alex. Walters, Wm. H. Ward, 
W. M. Weekley, S. T. Willis, G. B. Winton and Clarence Young. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 47. 
206 


ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT. 207 


unmistakable and it soon became daybreak everywhere. In 
the leading Roman Catholic journal in America the great 
Inter-Church Federation Conference was declared to be ‘‘the 
most important and impressive religious gathering ever held 
among non-Catholies,’’ and ‘‘that if ever church unity is to 
be visibly attained, even in a moderate degree, it will be 
brought about under some such form as this great Confer- 
ence in New York has assumed. Our Twentieth Century may 
witness the reunion of Christendom. It is a consummation 
devoutly to be wished.’’ The vitality and power of the Pro- 
testant forces in this country were greatly increased by the 
formal declaration of a unity that had long existed. Even 
those accustomed to chide us for our divisions now acknowl- 
edge our essential unity. We were being ‘‘perfected into 
one’’ as our Lord prayed in the upper room, that we might 
become one flock, although in many folds. All of the constitu- 
ent bodies officially represented in the Conference of 1905, 
through action taken in their National assemblies, have unan- 
imously ratified and adopted the Plan of Federation which 
now constitutes us a Federal Union. Again we meet, not to 
make such a Federal Union, for it has already been made by 
the many millions of communicants represented here, but 
simply to register it. We thus publish to the world the most 
notable event since the days of the Apostles. It is not a 
union of individual believers in these churches but a perma- 
nent organization of the churches themselves, as much so as 
when the several States of our Country adopted a national 
constitution and became a Federal Union. It is not mere 
sentiment which calls us together. It is under the authority 
of a constitution formally adopted by the leading Protestant 
churches in America. It is the voice of many millions that 
speaks here to-day like the voice of many waters. Their 
voice is heard in the mighty and tuneful doxology of John, 
when Patmos made him a poet, and he assayed to sing in 
doxologies like the angels about him: ‘‘Unto Him that loveth 
us, and loosed us from our sins by His blood and made us to 
be a kingdom, to be priests unto God and His Father: to Him 
be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.’’ It is the 
Gospel of the Kingdom that we preach as our divine Lord 


208 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


commanded us, and we dare hope that we see in part His 
gracious answer to our prayer, ‘‘Thy kingdom come.’’ We 
worship God the Son as well as God the Father and God the 
Holy Ghost. In the richness of the fellowship of the God- 
head we enter through Christ the Son who shows us the 
Father for ‘‘he that hath the Son hath the Father also.”’ 

For this reason we make known the Eternal Word who be- 
came flesh and dwelt among us that others also may have 
fellowship with us. For here is found the reason of our unity. 
‘‘Yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with His 
Son Jesus Christ.’’ Our two-fold loyalty must be to the Son 
of God and to His supreme command. As He is so must we 
be in the world. ‘‘The witness we bear is this that God gave 
unto us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He that hath 
the Son hath life,’’ not only the life of blessed fellowship with 
God and man but the noble partnership of service, as we re- 
ceive through Him the power to become the sons of God. 
‘‘To this end was the Son of God manifested that He might 
destroy the works of the devil.’’ His great mission is to be 
that of His church also. The church is militant against the 
devil and all his works as is her Lord. ‘‘God made man many 
in place of one that they might help one another,’’ said a wise 
philosopher. 

The very vitality of the Church is found in her independ- 
ence of thought and method the better to help every member 
of the body of Christ. We are still many members but of one 
body. ‘‘For as the body is one and hath many members, and 
all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so 
also is Christ.’’ Our unity is in Christ who seeks no mechan- 
ical union but rather the building up of the body of Christ. 
He would have us become ‘‘members in particular,’’ not no- 
body in particular. His mission is to complete us not to de- 
nature us. Thus may we all attain unto the unity of the 
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a full- 
grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of 
Christ.’’ Never were we better prepared to “‘grow up in all 
things into Him, who is the Head, even Christ ; from whom all 
the body fitly framed and knit together through that which 
every joint supplieth, according to the working in due meas- 


ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT. 209 


ure of each several part maketh the increase of the body unto 
the building up of itself into love.’’ 

“‘The Churches of Asia salute you,’’ wrote Paul to the 
newly-formed churches in Europe. The first literature of the 
New Testament were these great epistles, long antedating any 
of the Gospels. The very life-blood of the Church was in 
these epistles to the churches. No other religion ever had 
epistles. Even our ascended Lord chose this method of per- 


-. sonal communication to the Seven Churches in Asia. Never 


since that First Christian century has there been any so like 
it as this blessed century of Christian opportunity and fel- 
lowship, as now the churches in America can salute the 
churches in Asia and the churches in Europe. Let us con- 
fidently except that long before the Twentieth Century shall 
close the churches in Africa will be sending their Christian 
greetings to the churches in Europe and Asia and America 
and Australasia. 

More Christian blood has been shed by Christians than by 
all the pagans and Mohammedans in the world. Our foes 
have been among ourselves as Christian nations have warred 
against one another in wars lasting thirty and even an hun- 
dred years. Nations are now allies that once were foes. The 
Hague Tribunal registers the progress which Christianity 
no less than civilization has made. A stately monument as 
the permanent home of that great tribunal stands for the con- 
fidence that the great Powers have in Treaties of Arbitration 
as worth more than Triple Alliances and growing standing 
armies. A noble palace is to house in the Capitol of our Na- 
tion the International Bureau of American Republics, as all 
the Americas are henceforth to work together for the com- 
mon good of all and of humanity. The Era of Good Feeling 
is spreading around the planet as imperial Japan welcomes 
our great fleet and tells again of Commodore Perry, who was 
present at her christening and whose devout spirit like that 
of brave Captain Phillips at Santiago helped to show men the 
Christ of God. 

Every two centuries for the last ten hundred years God 
has signally spoken till now, as in the Twelfth, the Four- 
teenth, the Sixteenth, and the Highteenth centuries. What 


210 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


is His message in this Twentieth Century? Is it not a message 
through the churches themselves, His spokesmen to the na- 
tions? 

The world-wide Federation movement among the Protestant 
churches is perhaps the most notable keynote of the new cen- 
tury and of its Christian progress. In the great missionary 
fields the plea for federation is little less than pathetic, as 
was manifest at the Centenary Conference recently held in 
China to celebrate the completion of the first century of mis- 
sionary effort since Robert Morrison began in loneliness and 
without sympathy. This plea is not a confession of failure 
of old methods, when the Chinese empire had to be studied 
by faithful pioneers and explorers to know the best centers of 
missionary work. It is rather, a voice which comes out of the 
fullness and ripeness of the times for more co-operative work. 
The churches in all lands are discovering that they have more 
in common than in what they differ. They do not wish to 
burden the converts to Christ in foreign lands with differ- 
ences which they can never understand and which are now 
mostly historic. All crave that the era of co-operation shall 
succeed the era of competition. Our forces in foreign lands 
not only began the historic Week of Prayer, but are leading 
the home churches by their noble example of comity and co- 
operation. They have been: much cheered by the unanimous 
voice of the great Inter-Church Federation Conference of 
three years ago, as it rang out to all the world, proclaiming 
the essential unity of all who love and worship our divine 
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

They now bring us a fresh inspiration to mature and de- 
velop our plans of preventing waste and overlapping, and of 
securing that wise supervision and co-operation which must 
be productive of the happiest results. Whatever our regi- 
mental colors we are enlisted under one banner as we seek 
to make the conquest of the world for Christ. Happily, both 
the Home and the Foreign Boards now see the wisdom and 
necessity of working in harmony and without unseemly com- 
petition. New forces are loosened for aggressive service. A 
Christian climate has been created in which all the fruits of 
the Spirit grow to better maturity. 


ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT, eilel: 


The signs multiply that under these conditions of promise 
we are entering upon a period of constructive action in which 
the religious forces of our land and of the world will be cor- 
related, unified and aligned as never before. It is in the in- 
terest of this movement of paramount importance that we are 
gathered here as the representatives of a large proportion of 
the Protestant Church membership in the United States to act 
under a compact that is very definite and practical in its 
aims. As stated in its constitution, the object of this Federal 
Council is: ; 

1. To express the fellowship and catholic unity of the 
Christian Church. 

2. To bring the Christion bodies of America into unit- 
ed service for Christ and the world. 

3. To encourage devotional fellowship and mutual 
counsel concerning the spiritual life and religious activ- 
ities of the churches. 

4. To secure a larger combined influence for the 
churches of Christ in all matters affecting the moral and 
social condition of the people, so as to promote the ap- 
plication of the law of Christ in every relation of human 
life. 

5. To assist in the organization of local branches of the 
Federal Council to promote its aims in their communities. 

The responsibility resting upon this council, as we con- 
ceive, is to give inspirational leadership and helpful guidance 
in fostering and aiding organized activities through which 
the spirit and need of united effort will find practical expres- 
sion in the life and work of the churches. This work, of neces- 
sity, will demand large outlay in consecrated life and re-— 
sources. 

The business of the Kingdom must be thought of in terms 
of the Kingdom. If the Federal Council is to be the chosen 
instrumentality through which the spirit of unity, that now 
exists, is to find expression in an effective co-ordination of 
the forces of the vast constituency it represents, it must di- 
rect and support executive, educational and inspirational ac- 
tivities organized for the largest usefulness. Its central of- 
fice should be equipped to meet the need of a national work. 


212 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Resources should be placed at their command that will en- 
able the Executive Committee in their representative capacity 
to employ a secretarial force adequate for the prosecution of 
plans that will be a constant and effective source of help and 
encouragement in organizing State and Local Federations, 
and give efficent aid in work, having for its aim the unifying 
of religious forces in the advancement of great movements 
that ‘‘concern Christians of every name and demand their 
concerted action, if the church is to lead effectively in the 
conquest of the world for Christ.’ 

In carrying out this program, your committee realize that 
it will be necessary to provide for field work, not only in the 
east, but in the interior, the west and the south, supported 
out of the National treasury under the direction of the Ex- 
ecutive Committee. We venture to express the hope that this 
important committee, in which all the constituent bodies com- 
posing the Federal Council will have representation, will ar- 
range to hold its annual meetings in different sections of the 
country and make these Conferences of such importance that 
they will arrest attention and crystalize sentiment in the 
places where they are held, as well as exert national influence 
through reports by the religious and secular press. Among 
the results we may reasonably anticipate from this plan of ~ 
organization, we note the following: : 

1. The increased efficiency of the central office in its 
executive, educational and inspirational work. 

2. The strengthening of State and Local Federations 
already in existence. 

3. The organization and development of federations 
in all the States, and through their agency, the multipli- 
cation of town and city federations. 

4. Bringing the need, possibilities and reports of unit- 
ed service to the attention of the ecclesiastical Confer- 
ences, Assemblies and Synods of the constituent bodies 
in the fellowship of the Federal Council, and securing 
the systematic presentation of the cause of Church Fed- 
eration through ministerial associations and brother- 
hoods, as well as the pulpit and press. 

5. These field activities in which the entire secretarial 


ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT. 213 


force and the members of the Executive Committee should 
have some part, will make it possible to reach every sec- 
tion of the country and effectively set in motion plans of 
service approved by the Council and its Executive Com- 
mittee, and give the aid required in careful and adequate 
preparation for the quadrennial meetings of the Federal 
Council and, during the intervening years, for the annual 
meetings of the Executive Committee. 

Believing that the plan of organization we have briefly out- 
lined will provide for the efficient advancement of the ob- 
jects for which this council has been founded your committee 

recommends: 

1. That the Federal Council approve the formation 
and development of plans that will secure effective office 
and field service in advancing work, the object of which 
is stated in the Constitution of the Council. 

2. That in addition to the equipment of the central of- 
fice in the city of New York, the Executive Committee 
be authorized as rapidly as funds will permit, to provide 
for a district superintendence that will establish at least 
four offices in strategic centers of population represent- 
ing different sections of the country. 


The Maintenance of the Council 


Mr. ALFRED R. KimBauu.* 


The Committees have reported fully upon the operations 
necessary to promote the objects aimed at by this Council, 
which they are convinced are imperatively needed. To carry 
out. this work, the Cen- 
tral Office in New York 
should be strengthened, 
to manage the necessary 
business part, particu- 
larly the financial main- 
tenance; and four dis- 
trict offices maintained 
in the district sections 
of the country for pro- 
moting federation oper- 
ations. For this pur- 
pose it is estimated that 
$30,000 is needed. Some 
form of apportionment 
among the constituent 
denominations must be 
adopted, and this must 
be supplemented by in- 
ducing several large 
contributions or numer- 
ous individual gifts from many sources. 

The office has gathered a selected list of over 4,000 names, 
of those all over the country who can be counted on as con- 
tributors to necessary support of practical work. From this 
list we already have subscriptions for the next four years 


MR. ALFRED R. KIMBALL. 


*Chairman of the Committe on Maintenance; other members: George 
W. Bailey, Samuel W. Bowne, E. F. Hilert, C. W. Harding, H. C. M. 
Ingraham, H. E. Kirk, Alfred E. Marling, Charles W. McCutchen, 
George W. Pepper, J. Ross Stevenson, John L. Wheat. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 54. 


214 


THE MAINTENANCE OF THE COUNCIL. 215. 


amounting to about $10,000 a year, provided practical effi- 
ciency in pushing necessary operations is shown. 

This matter must be determined here and now, as the work 
cannot go on unless the Executive Committee have pledges of 
an absolute and definite character which will enable them to 
appoint men who can promote the practical work, and which 
will justify the continuing contributions from year to year. 

The Committee offer the following resolutions: ; 

WHEREAS, The Committee on State and Local Federa- 
tions, and the Committee on Organization have shown the 

- usefulness to be promoted by aggressive work, 

Resolved, That the Council take action to apportion 
among the Constituent Bodies, and undertake to raise, 
their proportions to the amount of $30,000. 

Resolved, That the apportionment be made on. the 
basis of the number of delegates allowed to each denom- 
mation, at the rate of, say, $50 per delegate. 

Resolved, To appeal to individuals in the denomina- 
tions which are stronger financially, to increase their pro- 
portion, to assist those who may find it difficult to meet 
their apportionment. 


Co-operation in Home Missions 
Tre Rev. Epear P. Hox, D.D.* 


The men on the watch towers are announcing a new day 
for evangelical Christianity.- Past are days of theological 
bickerings over unessentials. Past are the days of egotistical 
assumptions of denom-- 
inational superiority. 
Past, we trust, are the 
days when any branch of 
the evangelical church 
would insist that a com- 
munity is not being 
evangelized unless its 
agents are doing the 
work. From either the 
children of the world or 
the Father of lights, we 
are learning the wis- 
dom of co-operation. 
We are beginning to 
realize that the things 
we hold in common are 
infinitely more signifi- 
cant than those which 

THE REY. EDGAR P. HILL, D.D. distinguish us. Weare 

being confronted with 

the impressive fact that unless there is a coming together of 

the evangelical forces in this land of ours, we seem to be en- 

gaged in a losing fight. The manner of co-operation is sec- 
ondary. The necessity of it is explicit, imperative, insistent. 


*Chairman of the Committee on Home Missions; other members: 
Levi G. Batman, D. H. Bauslin, W. M. Bell, Irving H. Berg, 8. C. 
Breyfogel, Robert F. Coyle, A. E. Dunning, Robert Forbes, M. L. 
Jennings, Paul S. Leinbach, Joseph W. Mauck, H. L. Morehouse, O. W. 
Powers, Charles Reuss, W. M. Stanford, T. Smyth, T. L. Thomas and 
Wm. R. Williams. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 56. 
216 


CO-OPERATION IN HOME MISSIONS. 217 


Just now some would have us believe our hosts are waver- 
ing; and it sometimes seems so. This, however, may be only 
_ the pause for the reforming of the lines into an army so com- 
pact and disciplined and resistless that to-morrow it shall 
sweep to a speedier and more complete triumph than we could 
_ have anticipated. The thought of seventeen million followers 
of Christ brought together under a single banner is a thing to 
inspire the most sluggish imagination. Seventeen millions 
after so long a separation at last together, to plan and pray 
and work in the name of their common Lord and Saviour for 
the extension of God’s Kingdom! Seventeen million soldiers 
after years of bushwhacking, at least wheeling into line for the 
greatest battle the world has known! This is thrilling, mag- 
nificent, awe-inspiring! But, my brothers, it is one thing for 
the men in the watch-towers to catch sight of a glow in the 
east. Jt is another for the multitudes to see it. It is one 
thing for a few hundred representatives of the various fed- 
erated bodies to meet and plan and rejoice. It is something 
different for the men and women in cities and towns all over 
the land, who worship on opposite corners of the street, to 
treat one another like brothers and sisters and to plan like 
members of the same family for the extension of their com- 
mon interests. It is stating bluntly a fact recognized by all 
who have studied the matter in its practical bearings rather 
than on its theoretical side, that any sort of federation is 
only a rainbow dream that does not eventuate in some plan 
whereby the extension work of the various churches may be 
carried on with no less aggressiveness than now, but with far 
more economy and co-operative wisdom. No more urgent 
problem confronts the Church of America than the capture 
ot the cities for Christ. At no point will the sanity and sin- 
_cerity of the movement represented by this Council be 
more searchingly tested than on the Home Mission fields. Here 
is a call for the best brains and choicest spirits that can be 
commanded. 

No sooner does one approach the subject than the diffi- 
culties begin to loom big and threateningly. Workers on the 
field as conscientious as may be found, are often bewildered. 
When planning to enter a new territory who can tell when 


218 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


the new town is over-churched? Shortly it may be a city. 
Who is to decide as to when a community is being evangelized ? 
Three churches may not be doing the work that one might. 
If the denominations are to be maintained at all, exactly where 
is the line that separates aggressiveness from encroachment ? 
Some of our most earnest mission workers are insisting that 
comity always means their withdrawal. Others accused of 
urging comity where their interests are endangered, and ig- 
noring it when it is to their advantage, reply that to maintain 
denominational prestige it is necessary to play a game as poli- 
itcians do. Lack of authority is blamed for many failures 
to co-operate effectively. Those who want to co-operate have 
not the necessary backing to carry through their plans. Often 
lack of initiative is the explanation. All feel deeply the de- 
plorable condition of affairs. No one knows quite how to 
remedy it or is fearful of attempting anything. And then 
there are great barren tracts of unregenerate humanity with 
which to deal. The beautiful dreams of the social reformers 
who have withdrawn from society to establish ideal common- 
wealths have failed to materialize because of the cantankerous 
human units with which they attempted to build. If mem- 
bers of the same denomination holding the same traditions 
find it impossible to dwell together in peace, but insist on 
having two buildings. and two congregations and two preach- 
ers, how much ean be expected in the way of co-operation 
from those of different communions? In the presence of men 
of fine Christian spirit and far-reaching vision such difficulties 
may seem trivial and unworthy of rehearsal. But to the men 
who are actually grappling with the problem, they are most 
serious and intrusive. 

In spite of the difficulties much has already been done in the 
way of co-operation on the Home Mission field—enough to 
give an idea of the more that may be accomplished. The 
plan adopted in Maine is well known. For more than a dozen 
years it has been in operation. Those on the field testify that 
it has allayed friction, encouraged a delightful fellowship 
among the co-operating bodies and promoted the interests of 
the Kingdom. The statement of principles as applying to mis- 


CO-OPERATION IN HOME MISSIONS. 219 


sion work should be mentioned. The second article reads as 
follows: 

‘““That church extension into destitute communities 
should be conducted as far as practicable according to 
the following considerations: 

**1. No community in which any denomination has any 
legitimate claim should be entered by any other denom- 
ination through its official agencies without conference 
with the denomination or denominations having said 
elaims. 

**2. A feeble church should be revived if possible rather 
than a new one established to become a rival. 

“3. The preference of a community should always be 
regarded by denominational committees, missionary 
agents and individual workers. 

“‘4. These denominations having churches nearest at 
hand should, other things being equal, be recognized as 
in the most advantageous position to encourage and aid 
a new enterprise in their vicinity. 

**5. In ease one denomination begins gospel work in a 
destitute community it should be left to develop that 
work without other denominational interference. 

‘“6. Temporary suspension of church work by any de- 
nomination occupying a field should not be deemed suffi- 
cient warrant in itself for entrance into that field by an- 
other denomination. Temporary suspension should be 
deemed temporary abandonment when a church has held 
no preaching and held no meetings for an entire year or 
more. : 

“‘7. All questions of interpretation of the foregoing 
statements and all cases of friction between denomina- 
tions or churches of different denominations should be 
referred to the Commission through its Executive Com- 
mittee.”’ r 

In Wisconsin an aggressive work is being pushed much 
along the same lines. So far as Home Mission work there is 
concerned, the statement of principles is in the exact wording 
of the Maine federation. : 

The spirit of this announcement is admirable. That it can 


220 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


be worked in such States as Maine and Wisconsin is proved 
by the fact that it has worked. But that it has its limitations 
must be evident to any one who has lived in the newer west 
where the denominational agents must be conspicuously ag- 
gressive; where, if one were compelled to wait until the au- 
thorities had been consulted, a little town might become a 
city and a golden opportunity lost. The plan has been tried 
in the west and the testimonies of its usefulness are not en- 
thusiastic. As to the great problems of the city, such a scheme 
would be utterly inadequate. At the best it is only negative. 
It announces one of the most important steps the churches 
have taken toward the federation idea in Home Mission work. 

We are facing conditions that demand a more inspiring call 
to co-operative effort in pushing ahead the blessed enterprise 
which should be the high aspiration of us all. To-day we hail 
with high hopes action already taken that promises leadership 
and guidance that betokens the opening of a new era in the 
history and work of Home Missions. The recent organization 
of the Home Mission Council, of which special mention is 
made in the resolutions appended to this report, has brought 
the secretaries of the national Home Missionary societies 
into close and vital fellowship. 

As the servants in this great work of the churches, repre- 
sented in the fellowship of the Federal Council, they under- 
stand better than any other body of men the difficulties, re- 
sponsibilities and needs of the hour. They ask your support 
in plans of co-operative service, the most significant and en- 
couraging that have ever been presented as a practical sug- 
gestion in the interest of united activity and counsel. 

This leads to the statement that because of the vast influx 
of foreign populations, the cities have become the great Home 
Mission ground of the Nation. Yesterday we were urging the 
importance of evangelizing that vast territory called Alaska. 
To-day we know that in Chicago alone there are more Bohe- 
mians than there are people in the entire territory of Alaska. 
Yesterday we were urging the evangelization of the great 
State of Nevada. To-day it is beginning to dawn on us that 
there are more Italians in Chicago alone than there are men, 
women and children in the entire State of Nevada. We have 


CO-OPERATION IN HOME MISSIONS. 22 


been pouring men and money into Wyoming and Montana and 
Idaho to win them for Christ. In this work we rejoice that the 
churches have been alive to their responsibility, for it is here 
that the foundations of great commonwealths are being laid. 
This foundation work is still important and must be pressed, 
but the hour calls for special attention to the urgent need of 
united action in dealing with the problem of evangelizing the 
millions of aliens who are now within our borders. The most 
needy Home Mission fields in America are the large cities of 
the east. We have hardly begun the serious consideration of 
the task. Our present agencies are utterly inadequate. Head- 
way in the work is impossible until the denominations do far 
more than stand off and wait for some one to begin. But 
what can be done? 

A respectable beginning was made in Chicago a few months 
ago when representatives of five separate missionary societies 
met to consider plans for co-operative work. In one hour 
the men present learned more concerning the work that was 
being done, the difficulties being encountered and the mag- 
nitude of the task than they had discovered in all the twelve 
months preceding. In sixty minutes they were made to realize 
as never before, the inadequacy of their equipment, the dis- 
couragement involved in each attempting the work alone, and 
the impossibility of making an impression on the unevangel- 
ized multitudes except by united, aggressive, enthusiastic ac- 
tion. 

As a result of the conference a permanent council was form- 
ed, composed of representatives appointed by the societies of 
the co-operating bodies. After careful consideration this 
council decided to recognize three lines of work as coming le- 
gitimately within their purview: Work among the foreigners; 
work in the congested districts; the organization of new 
churches. It was realized that the current methods of appeal 
to those of foreign speech were provocative of ridicule. For 
four or five denominations to be holding their little services 
in rented storerooms almost side by side just across the street 
from a towering cathedral is not calculated to arrest our 
serious attention. To allow the rescue work of a great city to 
be monopolized by the Salvation Army or irresponsible street 


222 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


preachers, is not to the credit of organized Christianity. To 
push new work in growing suburbs without regard to the de- 
sire of the people or other agencies on the ground, must result 
as always heretofore in financial waste, un-Christian rivalry, 
inefficiency and the contempt of the world. The progress of 
the Mission Council of Chicago will be watched with eager in- 
terest. But a plan that will work in Chicago may not work 
on the Pacific coast. A plan that will succeed in rural dis- 
tricts may not meet the situation in the city. Even where 
the conditions seem exactly alike in most particulars, a plan 
that works well in one place will fail in another because of a 
lack of leaders having the necessary vision and perseverance 
and forbearance. 


Thus it is becoming increasingly evident that the essential 
thing in this matter of co-operative action in religious work is 
not a method but a spirit. 

Splendid work can be done with almost any method if the 
right spirit is present. When the wrong spirit prevails, the 
most perfect method will fail utterly. Obviously then our 
first step must be the cultivation of the spirit of unity be- 
tween the denominations in the Home Mission enterprise. We 
must explain to the people how extravagant and ineffective 
and un-Christian some of our present methods are. We must 
make plain to them that our interests are common and that to 
prevail, the common interests of the Kingdom must be exalted 
above peculiar interests. We must bring before them with all 
the impressiveness their importance demands, the tremendous 
perils now confronting the Church of Christ, perils too great 
for our divided strength, but which an unbroken front might 
put to speedy rout. 

Here are ten imperative reasons that come easily to mind 
why immediate and earnest co-operation in Home Mission 
work is necessary : 

1. Present methods are inadequate to cope with the sit- 
uation and avoid waste through the duplication of equip- 
ment. 

2. Undue denominational zeal in efforts to secure re- 
sults without regard to general conditions and need, 


CO-OPERATION IN HOME MISSIONS. 223 


gauses irritation, suspicion and estrangement between fol- 
lowers of the same Master. 

3. Divisions and unholy rivalries give unbelieving mul- 
titudes occasions to scoff at Christianity as thus misrep- 
resented. 

4. Such evils as intemperance, Sabbath desecration and 
Mammonism which are imperiling spiritual life every- 
where, compel our combined strength if their swift ad- 
vance is to be stayed. 

5. The congested districts of our large cities offer a 
task as difficult as it is fascinating. Only a union of the 
forees of evangelical Christianity can begin to command 
the situation. 

6. The foreign populations have swarmed to the great 
centers until the very existence of Protestantism in some 
of the cities is being endangered. Our workers are en- 
gaged in a heroic fight but are slowly backing away. 
Co-operative action is the only hope. 

7. The Roman Catholic Church is rushing ahead by 
leaps and bounds. One-fourth of the school population 
of Chicago is now in parochial schools. 

8. The growing spirit of comity in the ranks of the 
laity demands that ecclesiastical strife shall cease, and co- 
operative evangelism be pushed. The laymen have ob- 
served that when our combined forces get into action, the 
saloon begins to move, the cause of Foreign Missions as- 
sumes new importance and even the politicians take no- 
tice. 

9. It is reasonable to suppose that young men contem- 
plating entering the ministry will turn away, not so much 

because of the heroic work demanded as of senseless com- 
petition between the religious bodies which stamp the 
ealling as trivial. 

10. Only by means of unity of action will it be pos- 
sible to offer an apologetic for Christ that the world shall 
not be able to resist. Let the solemn words be repeated 
again and again: ‘‘That they all may be one * * * * * 
that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.’’ 
The spectacle of the denominations here represented 


: 


working side by side in sincere, ardent fellowship, to ex- 
tend the cause of our crucified and risen Lord, would 
thrill the indifferent multitudes and compel sympathetic 
attention to the message we preach. 

These are some of the considerations that should be urged 
upon the attention of the seventeen million Christian disciples 
belonging to this Federal Council as reasons for co-operation 
in the extension of the Kingdom. When the need is realized. 
the desire will quickly follow, and the desire will embody it- 
self in appropriate plans, as the conditions of the various 
fields may require. 

Long ago when all the disciples were gathered with one 
mind in the place of prayer, God came upon the waiting com- 
pany with mighty power. Pentecost with its fearless, pre- 
vailing testimonies and its thousands seeking salvation, was 
but the beginning of those marvelous ministries that have 
been the study and inspiration of Christian disciples down to 
this hour. Again, let the Lord’s people be gathered together 
with one accord in conference and prayer looking to the con- 
quest of our land: for our exalted Christ, and we shall be far 
along towards the day when the knowledge of the glory of 
the Lord shall cover the whole earth as the water drops cover 
the channels of the great deep. 

Your Committee on Home Missions would offer the follow- 
ing resolutions for action: 

In view of the perils that confront our common cause, of the 
necessity of co-operative action in extending the Lord’s King- 
dom and of our desire to cultivate that unity of the spirit for 
which our Master prayed, be it resolved: 

1. That this Federal Council expresses its profound con- 
viction that the time has come for the various denominations 
here represented to come together in frank, fraternal confer- 
ence to consider their common interests in the extension of the 
Lord’s Kingdom, especially as they pertain to the cause of 
Home Missions in urban and rural districts in order that 
financial wastefulness may be stopped, unseemly rivalry elim- 
inated and earnest co-operation secured in carrying on the 
work of evangelization. 

2. That in general Home Mission work throughout the land, 


224. FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


CO-OPERATION IN HOME MISSIONS. De 


interdenominational commissions or State Federations be 
formed, for the purpose of investigation, advice and the 
formulation of plans for co-operating in the extension of God’s 
Kingdom in order that over-churched communities may be 
relieved, unchurched communities supplied, and the cause 
of Christ find a new place of honor in the hearts of men. 

3. That we hail with gratitude the organization of a Home 
Missions Council representing the principal Home Mission 
organizations of the United States for the purpose of more 
effective service. 

4.-That in the various cities where mission work is being 
carried on, conferences between the different evangelizing 
agencies be called, such as that held in Chicago during the past 
year, and that special consideration be given to the matter of 
federative action as regards work in congested districts, among 
foreigners and in sections where new church organizations 
may be contemplated. 

5. That a committee consisting of representatives of the 
Home Mission Council be requested to join the Executive 
Committee of this Federal Council in issuing an appeal to the 
seventeen million constituents in the fellowship of the two 
councils, setting forth in succinct form the reasons for co-oper- 
ation in Home Mission work. That this joint committee be re- 
quested to aid in arrangements for the holding of mass meet- 
ings in the strategic centers and to take such other action as 
they may deem expedient in the interests of federated Home 
Mission work. 


The Church and Modern Industry 


Tue Rey. FranK Mason Nortu, D.D.* 


The Churches of Christ as represented in this Federal 
Council accept without reserve and assert without apology the 
supreme authority of Jesus Christ. 

We are one in Him 
not only because we to- 
gether share His spirit, 
but because we ac- 
knowledge His _head- 
ship. Wherever the 
path in which He leads 
crosses other highways, 
whether marked out by - 
the creeds of commerce, ° 
the schools of philoso- 
phy, the teachers of so- 
cial theory, the masters 
of theology, the agita- 
tors for reform, the 
critics of the Church, or 
the feet of the multi- 
tude, His disciples must 
take all risks and fol- 
low Him. ‘Our inter- 
pretations of His teach- 
ing and purpose are, doubtless, with growing light and new 
conditions, subject to review and restatement, but no such 
modification can force or allure the Church to surrender the 
principle of His absolute authority in the individual heart 


THE REV. FRANK MASON NORTH, D.D. 


*Chairman of the Committee on The Church and Modern Industry; 
other members: Miner Lee Bates, George Colby Chase, G. W. Clinton, 
Wm. J. Darby. G. P. Eckman, G. Elliott, John G. Fagg, P. S. Grosscup, 
John Hammond, H. P. Judson, J. B. Kanaga, George W. Kunkle, A. J. 
McKelway, J. 8. Mills, 8. J. Niecolls, A. L. Reynolds, S. D. Samuel, 
J. U. Schneider, L. H. Severance, Cortlandt Whitehead, Edward S. Wolle. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 68, 


226 


THE CHURCH AND MODERN INDUSTRY. 227 


and in the associated life of men. He charts our way. He 
commands us. 

Christ’s mission is not merely to reform society but to save 
it. He is more than the world’s Re-adjuster. He is its Re- 
deemer. The changed emphasis put upon the Lord’s prayer— 
““Thy will be done on earth,’’ must not deceive us. The 
prayer for the coming of the Kingdom, for the doing of the 
will of God on earth, gets its point from the fact that there 
is a Heaven in which that will is done,—where the beatitudes 
are always operative, and justice never falters, and truth 
excludes all les, where people hunger no more, neither thirst 
any more, nor say they are sick,—a city that lieth four- 
square. It will, we trust, not confuse the urgent cries for 
the larger activity of the Church when we remind ourselves 
that the Church becomes worthless for its higher purpose when 
it deals with conditions and forgets character, relieves misery 
and ignores sin, pleads for justice and undervalues forgive- 
ness. 

Whatever comparisons may be made between the Church 
as an organization for human betterment, and associations for 
charity, societies for reform, fraternal orders, labor unions, 
‘‘movements’’ for social advantage, saloons as social clubs, 
there is one contrast which never may be forgotten—the 
Church stands forever for the two-world theory of life. Its 
Kingdom passes beyond the horizon. In dealing with human 
conditions the Church is bound to take the viewpoint of 
Christ, and from that viewpoint are ever discernible the world 
that now is and that which is to come. The Church’s doors 
open upon the common levels of life. They should never be 
closed. Its windows open toward the skies. Let their light 
not be darkened. 

With Christ’s example before us, it is impossible to accept a 
class Gospel or to deal with society on a class basis except 
as the class affords the opportunity to reach men. 

As the authority of Christ is bmding upon men, not as la- 
borers or capitalists, as wise or unlearned, as rich or poor, 
so comes the message of the Gospel to men as men, not as 
classified by the exigencies of external conditions or the 
operation of social tendencies. The authority is final alike 


228 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


at the council table and at the forge; the message carries 

equal appeal to the man who gives to a common enterprise his 

muscle and to him who gives to it his mind. To present a frag- 

mentary Gospel is to ignore spiritual values. Every situation 

in life produces and requires peculiar obligations, but the in- 

dwelling Spirit who controls does not vary. The appeal of 

the Gospel is based upon the inherent worth of every man in 
God’s sight. 

Rich and poor, capitalist and laboring man, are not classifi- 
cations and distinctions made by the Church of Christ; they 
are natural or artificial groups existing in society. Where 
such terms are used as “‘laboring classes,’’ ‘‘industrial work- 
ers,’’ ‘‘employers,’’ ‘‘capitalists,’’ they should be regarded as 
descriptive, not as class terms. To the Church there are but 
two kinds of men—those who follow Christ and those who do 
not. 


‘“The whole idea of ‘laboring’ classes seems fundamentally 
abhorrent to the Christian conception of life. Jesus came to 
make a fellowship of all classes by annihilating classes except 
for certain superficial workaday ways of getting on together.’’ 
‘‘The Church is a benefactor of all classes and must aim to es- 
tablish a brotherhood as broad as human life and extending to 
the lowest depths of human want.”’ ; 

The Church is not an end in itself. It is conserva- 
tor of the truth, but it is the truth that counts. It 
is custodian of history, but it is the facts preserved by it 
that become current in the world’s work. It is the representa- 
tive of Christ, but it is ambassador and neither King nor 
province. In it the Spirit abides, that into all humanity He 
may find His way. Upon it rests the Cross of Christ that the 
world may learn His law of love. Through it is revealed the 
meaning of righteousness, of justice, of salvation, not for its 
own sake, but that sinners may be redeemed and that these 
ideals may be worked into the lives of men and become the 
principles of the new social order. The pious and subtle 
persuasion that the Church absorbs the attention of its Lord 
and narrows to itself the scope of His grace, is happily a 
fading belief. The reluctant surrender of the saints of the 


THE CHURCH AND MODERN INDUSTRY. 229 


cloister to the demands of the Commonwealth of God is among 
the instructive lessons of our time. 

But language, strange a quarter of a century ago, is now 
familiar. The concepts of the Church and of the Kingdom 
have become detached from each other. The range of God’s 
human interests has been more broadly seen. The services of 
the Church have become subordinate to the Church’s service 
to men. God seeks humanity. The Kingdom, to establish 
which the Church is appointed as the representative of Christ, 
is found not only in the Lord’s Prayer but in the Lord’s 
heart. It is this change of emphasis which explains the logic 
of events and gives room for a new program of the Church 
itself. 

We are here as representatives of the Churches of Christ in 
the United States of America. Primarily we are engaged in 
establishing His Kingdom in these United States. The funda- 
mental principles already emphasized have their application 
for us in this land of free institutions. It is the Church of 
America which must deal with the social and industrial 
problems of America. The workers for the newer ideals both 
within and without the churches will not fail, we believe, to 
allow these peculiar conditions their proper weight. 

The industrial problems of Great Britain and of the Con- 
tinent are linked with ours but they are not identical. The 
churches of America are not supported even in part by State 
funds, nor are they under State control. When one looks 
at Government here, the Church is not of necessity in the 
line of vision. There is no ecclesiastical factor in one’s tax 
bill. Functionaries of a religious establishment do not sit, 
as such, in our legislatures, and political vested rights do not 
control parochial policy. The churches are dependent upon 
the free will of the people, not upon the pleasure of the Gov- 
ernment, and policies of restraint or direction enacted into law 
and administered by the courts cannot be credited to or 
charged against the body of Christians as in the lands of es- 
tablished churches. 

*This distinction, so familiar to American freemen, requires 
the constant renewal of emphasis, since no small part of the 


' misunderstanding concerning the Church’s relation to indus- 


230 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CTIRIST. 


trial life in our country springs from the fact that multitudes 
born under the shadow of an ecclesiastical establishment, in 
this their new home impute to the American churches the 
power, the prejudices and the defects of an ecclesiastical sys- 
tem here, by an impregnable constitutional provision, forever 
excluded. 

Inevitably also, under this American system, churches be- 
come independent corporations, acquire property, gain or lose 
in changes of values, borrow and loan money, buy materials 
and employ labor. Here is the demand for the highest busi- 
ness skill and prudence. The administration of the affairs 
of the churches involves questions of expediency and of just 
dealing which have not always been settled according 
to the canons of the ideal social justice. The Chureh 
as an owner and an employer gravitates naturally toward the 
position where men of business experience and ample resources 
come into leadership. It is not strange that at times the indi- 
vidual attitude toward industrial conditions is interpreted as 
the attitude of the Church itself. It is but fair that the dis- 
tinction should be rigidly observed. There is the utmest sig- 
nificance in the tendency at the present time to develop in 
the churches a democratic administration. Popular manage- 
ment of church interests will hasten the removal of miscon- 
structions of existing methods and motives. It will still re- 
main true, however, that the churches must be supported by 
the gifts of the people. The criticism that the Church con- 
cerns itself overmuch with money is, in the main, possible 
only to those who do not see that, as an institution, with a 
distinct program to promote and definite obligations to dis- 
charge, the financial question belongs to the very necessities 
of the case. Maintenance is not simple. It involves grave 
difficulties. Yet practice must be made to conform to the 
essential standards of the Gospel, which are themselves the 
highest ideals of social righteousness. Upon this basis the 
churches make their appeal to men of every kind, not assert- 
ing the perfection of their methods, but laying claim to con- 
fidence and co-operation as with honest purpose tney seek 
to express in this complex modern life the spirit of Jesus 
Christ. 


THE CHURCH AND MODERN INDUSTRY. 231 


It may be noted, further, that at no time have the disad- 
vantages of the sectarian divisions of the Church been more 
apparent than when the call has come for a common policy 
or a united utterance concerning such problems as modern 
industry now presents. The Protestant Churches of the 
United States have had, until now, no authorized common 
ground. ‘‘Labor,’’ ‘‘industrial workers,’’ ‘‘trades unions,’’ 
have discussed the attitude of ‘‘the Church,’’ and the whole 
body of believers has, theoretically, been included. As a 
matter of fact, the ‘‘Church’’ has been some individual organi- 
zation, some one of the denominations or some voluntary as- 
sembDlage, non-representative and without authority. For 
such conerete expressions of Christian conviction on social 
and industrial problems as ‘‘The Church Association for the 
Advancement of the Interests of Labor’’ in the Protestant 
Episcopal Church, ‘‘The Department of Church and Labor”’ 
connected with the Board of Home Missions of the Presby- 
terian Church, ‘‘ The Methodist Federation of Social Service’’ 
and similar movements, there can be only gratitude and praise. 
The independent associations of members of Protestant 
churches, in many localities, to study industrial conditions, 
and to secure their betterment, are welcome evidences of the 
larger social purpose of the churches. But nowhere has there 
been formulation of principles, or statement of aims which 
represents in an authoritative sense the attitude of American 
Protestantism toward the tremendous problems of our indus- 
trial and social order. It may be permitted to express the 
earnest hope that without in the slightest degree compelling 
the surrender of individual or denominational independence, 
this Federal Council may find some method for bringing the 
Protestant Christianity of America into relations of closer 
sympathy and more effective helpfulness with the toiling mil- 
lions of our land. 

A survey of the social and industrial conditions of our 
American people reveals certain indisputable facts which 
should be candidly stated. 

1. There is an estrangement between the Church and the 
industrial workers. By some, both churchmen and work- 
ingmen, this estrangement is greatly overstated, by others 


232 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


it is most wunwisely minified. At times local condi- — 
tions have been interpreted in universal terms. The tendency 
of the group has been thought characteristic of the whole. Par- 
tisan utterances have been heard as though they were the 
voice of the multitude. It would be as unfair, because the treas- 
urer of a national society of organized labor who has handled 
millions of money, is a respected officer in a Christian church, 
to say that the Church is regarded without criticism or cyni- 
cism by working men, as to hold that because some other labor 
leader is a bitter and brawling atheist, the whole labor move- 
ment is hostile to the Christian faith. It is enough to note 
that in many localities the tendencies of industrial workers 
do not draw them to the doors or the altars of the churches. 

2. There is a separation between the rich and the cultured 
and the churches. With equal candor this fact must be recog- 
nized. It is not improbable that relatively this divergence is 
more marked than the other. The exactions of faith upon con- 
duct, in a relaxed and luxurious social life, are a test which, 
while it sometimes disastrously modifies the ethics of the 
churches is more apt to result in personal definitions of duty 
and in practice which must forever be repellent to the code of 
Jesus. If on the one hand the Church has inadequately dealt 
with the problems of the poor, and has not always been the 
guardian of labor, on the other, it has not become the tool of 
the rich, and is not under the domination of capital. 

3. Industrial progress has, it may be admitted, taken the 
Church unawares. Invention and discovery have with in- 
- eredible swiftness modified the world’s industry, and almost 
with violence have thrown the individual into new relations 
with the social order. Machinery, facilities for transportation, 
building methods, commercial exchange, modes of heating and 
lighting, have in a generation created a community life to 
which the thought of the Church has not rapidly adapted it- 
self. Christianity has created a civilization which it is now its 
first task to inspire and direct. It has produced a social 
crisis in which its visions must concrete themselves into prin- 
ciples of action. The Church, bewildered amid the machinery 
of a mighty civilization, would be as sad a sight as the Church 
lost in the wilderness. ‘‘The Church does not stand for the 


THE CHURCH AND MODERN INDUSTRY. 233 


present social order, but only for so much of it as accords with 
the principles laid down by Jesus Christ.’’ 

Only extremists or the unobservant will deny that the 
churches are striving, with a growing moral seriousness, to 
find and assert the ideals which, if reduced to practice, would 
sweep from the field the causes of class estrangement. In- 
dustrial workers, individually and through their organized 
forces, are recognizing, in large part, the value of these very 
ideals, and in promoting them are coming better to appreci- 
ate the essential aims of the Church as it seeks for social bet- 
terment. The workingman, caught in the current of the 
new industry, and the Church, arrested in its splendid service 
to individual life by the confused appeal of the community, 
will surely, step by step, come to a common ground where 
mutual understanding and mutual service, under the leader- 
ship of the one Master of Life, will bring to a practical 
demonstration the brotherhood of man. 

4. There are many phases of the present industrial condi- 
tions in the United States which ery aloud for immediate 
remedy. The Church, which has obligations to every sort of 
interest and person in the community, must be identified, 
locally and nationally, with the whole of the people more 
markedly than with any part of them, and will be sensitive 
to every influence which affects the larger constituency. It 
is not the kinds of men that should command the Church’s 
attention, but their numerical importance, their accessibility 
and their conditions of need. 

. Multitudes are deprived, by what are called economic laws, 
of that opportunity to which every man has a right. When 
automatic movements cause injustice and disaster, the au- 
tonomy should be destroyed. That to these impersonal causes 
are added the cruelties of greed, the heartlessness of ambition 
and the cold indifference of corporate selfishness, every friend 
of his fellow must with grief and shame admit. The unem- 
ployed are an ‘‘army.’’ The ‘‘accidents’’ of factories and 
railroads crowd our institutions and tenements with widows 
and orphans. The stress of reckless competition which loads 
manhood with oppressive burdens, levies upon the frail 
strength of womanhood and turns sunny childhood into drudg- 


234 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


ery, dwarfs our stature, saps our vitality, crowds our prisons, 
vitiates our virtue and darkens our old age. The ‘‘homes’’ 
of the wage earners in our great cities are an indictment of 
our civilization. The meager income, which is easily reck- 
oned sufficient by the fortunate who are not forced to live 
upon it, is without warrant of reason. The helplessness of 
the individual worker, the swift changes in location of indus- 
trial centers, the constant introduction of labor-saving ap- 
pliances, the exactions of landlords, add uncertainty to pri- 
vation. The hazard of the mine, the monotony of the shop, 
the poverty of the home, the sickness of the family, the closing 
of the doors of higher opportunity react with dreadful pre- 
cision upon temperament and mar character. 

That workingmen should organize for social and industrial 
betterment belongs to the natural order. The effort of the 
world’s toilers to secure better conditions of work and larger 
possession of themselves is welcome evidence of a Divine eall 
within them to share in the higher experiences of the intel- 
lectual and spiritual life. It is their right as it is the right 
of men everywhere, within the law, to combine for common 
ends. Both Church and society should cease to talk of ‘‘con- 
- eeding’’ this right. It exists in the nature of things. We 
do not confer it. But we welcome its exercise. ‘““The vast 
multitudes of working people have a vital share in re-shaping 
the moral standards of the time. They are at heart pro- 
foundly moral in their ideas and desires. Their demands are 
an influence upon the conscience of the nation.’’ Despite the 
errors of individuals and groups, the faults of spirit, the im- 
perfection of methods and, in some instances, most deplorable 
results, organized labor isto be regarded as an influence not 
hostile to our institutions but potent in beneficence. When 
guided from within by men of far sight and fair spirit, and 
guarded from without by restrictions of law and of custom 
against the enthusiasms which work injustice, the self-interest 
which ignores the outsider, or the practices which create indus- 
trial havoc, trades unionism should be accepted not as the 
Church’s enemy, but as the Church’s ally. The Church be- 
lieves in the Gospel of Christ as a reality in this world, to be 
realized by the furtherance of social justice; it may not adopt 


THE CHURCH AND MODERN INDUSTRY. 235 


as final, well-advertised panaceas, but it intends to study 
and understand fully the situation. ‘‘It is not content with 
announcing abstract principles, but means to work definitely 
and steadily toward the translation of these into concrete con- 
duct.’’ In this theory of its mission, it cannot be other than 
hospitable to the co-operation of any individual or organized 
force, springing from the very heart of the need it seeks to 
understand and meet. It may well accept as its chief respon- 
sibility, without abating its effort to remove immediate and 
palpable evils, the creation of that atmosphere of fairness, 
kindness and good will, in which those who contend, employer 
and employee, capitalist and workingman, may find both light 
and warmth, and, in mutual respect and with fraternal feel- 
ings, may reach the common basis of understanding which will 
come to them not by outward pressure, but from the inner 
sense of brotherhood. 

The Committee on the Church and Modern Industry makes 
earnest appeal that this Federal Council, for the Churches of 
Christ in America, give utterance, by appropriate resolution, 
to its convictions touching the industrial conditions which 
eencern the multitude to whom the churches are ap- 
pointed to present and re-present our Lord: and, further, that 
without ignoring points of sharp divergence in opinion, with- 
out endorsement of proceedings at times strongly condemned, 
without commitment to a specific program, this Federal 
Council exterd to all the toilers of our country and to those 
who seek to organize the workers of the land for the further- 
ance of industrial justice, social betterment and the brother- 
hood of man, the greetings of sympathy and confidence and 
the assurance of good will and co-operation in the name of 
Him who was known to His neighbors as the Son of the Car- 
penter, of Him whom we follow and worship as the Son of 
God. 

Statement and Resolutions. 

The Committee presents for the action of the Federal Coun- 

ceil the following Statement and Recommendations: 
STATEMENT ; 

1. This Federal Council places upon record its profound 

belief that the complex problems of modern industry can be 


236 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


interpreted and solved only by the teachings of the New Tes- 
tament, and that Jesus Christ is final authority in the social 
as in the individual life. Under this authority and by appli- 
eation of this teaching the contribution to human welfare by 
the Church, whatever its lapses and its delays, has been incal- 
culable. Cut of the sacrifice and fervor of the centuries has 
come a fund of altruism which enriches to-day a thousand pur- 
poses for human betterment, some of which do not know the 
origin of their impulse. The interest of the Church in men is 
neither recent nor artificial. No challenge of newly posted 
sentries can exclude it from the ground where are struggle 
and privation and need. It has its credentials and knows the 
watchword. 

2. Christian practice has not always harmonized with Chris- 
tian principle. By the force of economic law and of social 
custom individual life has been, at times, swerved from the 
straight course, and the organized church has not always 
spoken when it should have borne witness, and its plea for 
righteousness has not always been uttered with boldness. 
Christianity has created both the opportunity and the princi- 
ples of life. In the mighty ‘task of putting conscience and 
justice and love into a ‘‘Christian’’ civilization, the Church, 
with all its splendid achievements, has sometimes faltered. But 
it has gone farther and suffered more, a thousand fold, to ac- 
complish this end than any other organized force the world 
has ever known. 

3. The Church now confronts the most significant crisis and 
the greatest opportunity of its long career. In part its ideals 
and principles have become the working basis of organizations 
for social and industrial betterment which do not accept its 
spiritual leadership and which have been estranged from its 


fellowship. We believe, not for its own sake but in the inter- 


est of the kingdom of God, the Church must not merely aequi- 
esce in the movements outside of it which make for human 
welfare, but must demonstrate not by proclamation but by 
deeds its primacy among all the forces which seek to lift the 
plane and better the conditions of human life. 

This Council, therefore, welcomes this first opportunity on 
behalf of the Churches of Christ in the United States officially 


——— 


THE CHURCH AND MODERN INDUSTRY. 237 


represented, to emphasize convictions which have been in 
fragmentary ways already expressed. 

4. We recognize. the complex nature of industrial obliga- 
tions affecting employer and employee, society and govern- 
ment, rich and poor, and most earnestly counsel tolerance, pa- 
tience and mutual confidence; we do not defend or excuse 
wrong doing in high places or in low, nor purpose to adapt the 
ethical standards of the Gospel to the exigencies of commerce 
or the codes of-a confused industrial system. 

5. While we assert the natural right of men—capitalists and 
workingmen alike—to organize for common ends, we hold that 
the organization of capital or the organization of labor cannot 
make wrong right, or right wrong; that essential righteousness 
is not determined by numbers either of dollars or of men; that 
the Church must meet social bewilderment by ethical lucidity, 
and by gentle and resolute testimony to the truth must assert 
for the whole Gospel its prerogative as the test of the right- 
ness of both individual and collective conduct everywhere. 

6. We regard with the greatest satisfaction the effort of 
those employers, individual and corporate, who have shown in 
the conduct of their business, a fraternal spirit and a disposi- 
tion to deal justly and humanely with their employees as to 
wages, profit-sharing, welfare work, protection against acci- 
dents, sanitary conditions of toil, and readiness to submit dif- 
ferences to arbitration. We record our admiration for such 
labor organizations as have under wise leadership throughout 
many years, by patient cultivation of just feelings and tem- 
perate views among their members, raised the efficiency of 
service, set the example of calmness and self-restraint in con- 
ference with employers, and promoted the welfare not only of 
the men of their own craft but of the entire body of working- 
men. 

7. In such organizations is the proof that the fundamental 
purposes of the labor movement are ethical. In them great 
numbers of men of all nationalities and origins are being com- 
pacted in fellowship, trained in mutual respect, and disci- 
plined in virtues which belong to right character and are at 
the basis of good citizenship. By them society at large is ben- 
efited in the securing of better conditions of work, in the 


238 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Americanization of our immigrant population, and in the edu- 
cational influence of the multitudes who in the labor unions 
find their chief, sometimes their only, intellectual stimulus. 


8. We note as omens of industrial peace and goodwill, the 
growth of a spirit of conciliation, and of the practice of con- 
ference and arbitration in settling trade disputes. We trust 
profoundly that these methods may supplant those of the 
strike and the lockout, the boycott and the black list. Law- 
lessness and violence on either side of labor controversies are 
an invasion of the rights of the people and must be condemned 
and resisted. We believe no better opportunity could be af- 
forded to Christian men, employers and wage-earners alike, 
to rebuke the superciliousness of power and the obstinacy of 
opinion, than by asserting and illustrating before their fellows 
in labor contests, the Gospel which deals with men as men and 
has for its basis of fraternity the Golden Rule. 

We commend most heartily the societies and leagues in 
which employers and workingmen come together upon a com- 
mon platform to consider the problems of each in the interest 
of both, and we urge Christian men more freely to participate 
in such movements of conciliation. We express our gratitude 
for the evidences that in ever widening circles the influence 
of the agencies established by some of the churches is distinet- 
ly modifying the attitude of the workingmen and the Church 
toward each other. 

9. We deem it the duty of all Christian people to concern 
themselves directly with certain practical industrial problems. 
To us it seems that the churches must stand— 

For equal rights and complete justice for all men in all sta- 
tions of life. * 

For the right of all men to the opportunity for self-mainte- 
nance, a right ever to be wisely and strongly safeguarded 
against encroachments of every kind. 

For the right of workers to some protection against the 


hardships often resulting from the swift crises of industrial 
change. 


For the principle of conciliation and arbitration in indus- 
trial dissensions. -- 


THE CHURCH AND MODERN INDUSTRY. 239 


For the protection of the worker from dangerous machinery, 
occupational disease, injuries and mortality. 

For the abolition of child labor. 

For such regulation of the conditions of toil for women as 


shall safeguard the physical and moral health of the commu- 


nity. 

For the suppression of the ‘‘sweating system.”’ 

For the gradual and reasonable reduction of the hours of 
labor to the lowest practicable point, and for that degree of 


leisure for all which is a condition of the highest human life. 


ee a 


se oh 


; 
‘4 
: 


For a release from employment one day in seven. 

For a living wage as a minimum in every industry and for 
the highest wage that each industry can afford. 

For the most equitable division of the products of industry 
that can ultimately be devised. 

For suitable provision for the old age of the workers and 
for those incapacitated by mjury. 

For the abatement of poverty. 

10. To the toilers of America and to those who by organized 
effort are seeking to lift the crushing burdens of the poor, and 
to reduce the hardships and uphold the dignity of labor, this 
Council sends the greeting of human brotherhood and the 
pledge of sympathy and of help in a cause which belongs to 
all who follow Christ. 

RECOMMENDATIONS: 


To the several Christian bodies here represented the Council 
recommends: 

(1) That the churches more fully recognize, through their 
pulpits, press and public assemblies, the great work of social 
reconstruction which is now in progress, the character, extent 
and ethical value of the labor movement, the responsibilities 
of Christian men for the formation of social ideals, and the 
obligation of the churches to supply the spiritual motive and 
standards for all movements which aim to realize in the mod- 
ern social order the fulfillment of the second great command- 
ment, “‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’’ 


(2) That the study of existing conditions in the industrial 


240 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


world, their origin and outcome, be more definitely enforced 
as an immediate Christian duty ; 

That to this end, in all theological seminaries, and, so far 
as practicable, in other schools and colleges, there be estab- 
lished, wherever they do not now exist, courses in economics, 
sociology and the social teachings of Jesus, supplemented, 
wherever possible, by investigation of concrete social facts, 
and 

That study classes and reading courses on social questions, 
be instituted in connection with the churches and their soci- 
eties, to foster an intelligent appreciation of existing condi- 
tions, and to create a public sentiment through which relief 
and reform may be more effectively secured. 

(3) That the churches with quickened zeal and keener ap- 
preciation, through their pastors, lay leaders and members, 
wherever possible, enter into sympathetic and fraternal rela- 
tions with workingmen, by candid public discussion of the 
problems which especially concern them, by advocating their 
cause when just, by finding the neighborly community of in- 
terest and by welcoming them and their families to the uses 
and privileges of the local churches; 

That the proper general authorities of the denominations 
endeavor by special bureau or department to collate facts and 
mold opinion in the interest of a better understanding between 
the Church and workingmen, and particularly to obtam a 
more accurate and general knowledge of the meaning of trades 
unionism, and especially 

That all church members who, either as employers or as 
members of trades unions, are more specifically involved in 
the practical problems of industry, be urged to accept their 
unparalleled opportunity for serving the cause of Christ and 
humanity by acting, in His spirit, as mediators between op- 
posing forces in our modern world of work. 

(4) That the Church in general not only aim to socialize its 
message, to understand the forces which now dispute its su- 
premacy, to stay by the people in the effort to solve with them 
their problems, but also modify its own equipment and pro- 
cedure in the interest of more democratic administration and 
larger social activity ; 


’ 
} 
- 


THE CHURCH AND MODERN INDUSTRY. 241 


That more generally in its buildings provision be made for 
the service of the community as well as for the public wor- 
ship of God; 

That in its councils of direction workingmen be weleomed 
and the wisdom of the poor be more freely recognized ; 

That in its assemblies artificial distinctions be rebuked and 
removed ; : 

That in its financial management the commercial method, 
if it exist, be replaced by the principles of the Gospel as set 
forth in the Epistle of James, to the end that the workers and 
the poor, vastly in the majority in the United States, may 
ever find the church as homelike as the union hall, more at- 
tractive than the saloon, more tolerant of their aspirations than 
the political club, more significant of the best which in heart 
and life they seek than any other organization or institution 
which claims to open to them opportunity or ventures to offer 
them incentives to the better life. 

(5) That the Church fail not to emphasize its own relation, 
throughout the centuries and in the life of the world to-day, 
to the mighty movements which make for the betterment of 
social and industrial conditions; 

That the attention of workingmen and the churches alike be 
called to these facts: 

That the institution of a day of rest secured for the toilers of 
Christendom by the very charter of the Church has been de- 
fended on their behalf by it throughout the centuries; 

That the streams of philanthropy which supply a thousand 
needs have their springs, for the most part, in Christian de- 
votion ; 

That the fundamental rights of man upon which rest the 
pillars of this mighty group of commonwealths are a heritage 
from the conscience and consecration of men who acknowl- 
edged Jesus Christ as Master; 

That the free ministrations to the community on the part of 
tens of thousands of churches, attest the purpose of the fol- 
lowers of Christ; 

That the Church, while it may not have accepted the task of 
announcing an industrial program, is at heart eager with the 


242 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


impulses of service and is more than ever ronda to express 
the spirit of its Lord; 

That in the quest for the forces by which the larger hopes 
of the workingmen of America may be most speedily and 
fully realized, the leaders of the industrial world can better 
afford to lose all others than those which are to-day and have 
been for nearly two thousand years at work in the faith, the 
motive and the devotion of the Church of Jesus Christ. 

Your Committee further recommends: 

That this Federal Council instruct the Executive Committee 
to organize, under such plan as it may in its discretion find ex- 
pedient, a Commission on The Church and Social Service, 
representative of the churches allied in this Council, and of 
the various industrial interests, said Commission to co-operate 
with similar church organizations already in operation, to 
study social conditions and ascertain the essential facts, to 
act for the Council, under such restrictions as the Executive 
Committee, to which it shall from time to time report, may 
determine, and in general, to afford by its action and utter- 
ance an expression of the purpose of the Churches of Christ 
in the United States, to recognize the import of present social 
movements and industrial conditions, and to co-operate in all 
practicable ways to promote in the churches the development 
of the spirit and practice of social service and especially to 
secure a better understanding and a more natural relationship 
between workingmen and the Church. 

We do not forget that the strength of the Church is not in a 
program but in a spirit. To it is not given the function of 
the school, of the legislature, of the court, but one deeper and 
broader, the revelation of the ethical and practical values of 
a spiritual faith. The Church does not lay the foundations of 
the social order; it discloses them. They are already laid 
Ours is the blame if upon them we have allowed rubbish to 
gather, or let others build wood, hay, stubble, instead of our- 
selves lifting to the light the splendor of the gold, silver, pre- 
cious stones. The Church must witness to the truths which 
should shape industrial relations,-and strive to create the 
spirit of brotherhood in which alone those truths become oper- 
ative. It must give itself fearlessly and passionately to the 


. 
= 


—_—< 


THE CHURCH AND MODERN INDUSTRY. 243 


furtherance of all reforms by which it believes that the weak 
may be protected, the unscrupulous restrained, injustice abol- 
ished, equality of opportunity secured and wholesome condi- 
tions of life established. Nothing that concerns human life 
ean be alien to the Church of Christ. Its privilege and its 
task are measured by the sympathy, the love, the sacrifice of 

its Lord. It is here to re-present Jesus Christ. Let it speak 
~ out what is in its heart! Once again in the spirit of the Naz- 
arene let it take from the hand of tradition the sacred roll and 
read so that everywhere the waiting millions may hear: 

““The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anoint- 
ed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor, He hath sent Me to 
heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captive, 
and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that 
are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.’’ 

May the Church dare to say to the multitudes: ‘‘This day is 
this Seripture fulfilled in your ears.”’ 


Sunday School Instruction 


By Mr. W. N. HartsHorn.* 


The Sunday School has been called ‘‘The Bible Studying 
and Teaching Service of the Church.’’ Its purpose has been 
defined ‘‘To teach religious truth through the Bible for 
the formation and de- 
velopment of Christian 
Character.”’ 

The possession of Bi- 
ble truth and history, re- 
tentive memory, the gift 
of teaching, the Christ 
spirit, and an impelling 
personality, are factors 
in the equipment of the 
Sunday-school teachers, 
who make the army, 
in this country, of more 
than a million ‘‘volun- 
teer workers in educa- 
tion.’’ 

The Raikes movement, 
in 1780, embraced a 
group of children steep- 

MR. W. N. HARTSHORN, ed in ignorance and 

trained in crime, gather- 

ed on Sunday morning, from ‘‘Sooty Alley,’’ together with 

a few poor women, to whom he paid a shilling per day to 
teach the children. 

Teaching was the purpose then, as now. The limitations of 
both teacher and pupil were measureless. And yet, this 


*Chairman of the Committee on Religious Instruction through the 
Sunday-school; other members: J. H. Gibson, C. M. Carter, Joel S. 
Ives, T. E. Cramblet, Peter Ainslie, E..B. Chappell, George Reynolds, 
E. S. Wells, J. H. Vincent, C. B. Mitchell, Charles M. Melden, H. C. 
McDermott. 

For the discussion of this paper see page 79. 


244 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. 245 


movement grew so rapidly that in four years,—1784,—a quar- 
ter of a million children and teachers were enrolled. 

At this period, 1784, John Wesley wrote thus in his Jour- 
nal: ‘‘Perhaps God may have a deeper end thereto, than men 
are aware of. Who knows but that some of these schools may 
become nurseries for Christians.”’ 

In 1818, a Sunday School was established in Connecticut by 
a young girl. She gathered her class first in the gallery, then 
on the steps of the church, then in the public school house, 
then finally she was permitted by the authorities to return 
to the church. She taught her class directly from the Bible. 
At its fiftieth anniversary, in 1868, the names of twenty-six 
ministers and missionaries were read, who had gone out from 
this church and the Sunday-school, established by this girl 
and she herself became the wife of a missionary. 

In the light of the above fact, it is interesting to recall the 
prophecy of John Wesley, quoted above, when he said, ‘‘ Who 
knows but that some of these Sunday-schools may become 
nurseries for Christians ;’’ and to remember also, Raikes’ first 
Sunday School in ‘‘Sooty Alley,’’ in 1780, and, then remem- 
ber the Bushwick Avenue Sunday School in Brooklyn, New 
York, Mr. Frank L. Brown, Superintendent, whose statistics 
at the annual meeting, March, 1908, were as follows: ‘‘ Offi- 
cers and teachers, 192; senior department, 1,050; intermediate 
department, 286; junior department, 524; primary depart- 
ment, 527; cena department, 298 ; aeidle roll, 250; home 
Beer cemenit, 438 ; total, 3.575. 

Having ora in mind the prophecy of John Wesley, let us 
quote from a writer in a recent religious publication, October, 
1908, in which he said: ‘‘Ninety-five per cent of our preach- 
ers, 85 per cent of our converts, 95 per cent of our church 
workers, come out of the Sunday School,’’ and also, ‘‘ That 75 
per cent of all churches started first as Sunday Schools and 
then developed into churches.’’ 

Thus, briefly has been sketched the beginning, the develop- 
ment, and some of the results of the Sunday-school movement. 
It is not difficult for those who live in the inner circle of this 
movement to discover the secret of its marvelous growth and 
measure its fruitage. 


246 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


The Sunday-school forces have everything in common. 
The spirit, that of Christ,—the purpose, co-operative,—not 
competitive. The world around, the Sunday-school deals 
with the same conditions, confronts the same evils, teaches the 
same Bible, proclaims the same Gospel, worships the same 
God, accepts the same Christ. There is, then, good sense and 
a holy purpose, and Heaven’s approval in the township and 
city Sunday-School Association,—also in the State, interna- 
_ tional and world’s conventions and associations. 

Thus organized,—the strength, the wisdom, and the ex- 
perience of ali workers, and of all conventions, become the 
heritage of every school, however isolated or discouraged. 
It is as though the best were gathered from all denomina- 
tions from all the world, into one reservoir, and from thence, 
through the pipe of organization, conveyed to the Sunday- 
schools in every land where the religion of Jesus Christ is 
taught. 

The forces that have contributed to produce these results 
are educational and spiritual, wisely blended. Paramount 
among these forces is the International Uniform Lesson Sys- 
tem. This system was discovered by B. F. Jacobs, a Baptist 
layman, approved by Dr. J. H. (now Bishop) Vincent, a 
Methodist, Henry Clay Trumbull, a Presbyterian, and Dr. 
M. C. Hazard, a Congregationalist. 

In 1871, twenty-nine publishers and writers, in conference, 
voted twenty-six to three to recommend the one lesson plan. 
In 1872, the fifth National Sunday-School Convention met in 
Indianapolis, Ind. There were 338 delegates present, repre- 
senting twenty-two states, one territory, and prominent men 
from Canada, Great Britain and India. In this convention the 
international uniform lesson system was adopted with only 
ten dissenting votes. 

The international uniform lesson system covers the Bible 
in a course of lessons, extending over a period of six years. - 
Already six committees have served, each, for six years. The 
lesson committee of fifteen members elected by the Interna- 
tional Convention at Louisville, June, 1908, in co-operation 
with the British section of fifteen members, will select the 
topics, Scripture and golden texts for the lessons from 1912 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. 247 


to 1918. This system provides the same theme in the same © 
book, for the study of the same truth, under the guidance of 
the same spirit on the same day, throughout the whole world. 
The existing organization of the Sunday-school forces of 
the world, to-day, is the highest expression, in action, of the 
declared purpose of the Federal Council of the Churches of 
Christ in America. Hence we stand on kindred ground, and 
look out from the same viewpoint. 

In June, 1907, in London, for the first time since the adop- 
tion of the system in 1872, the British and American sections 
of the lesson committee met in conference to consider mat- 
ters bearing on the choice of lessons for the world’s Sunday- 
school constituency of 26,000,000. This conference marked 
the dawn of a new era of progress in the unifying of the con- 
trolling forces in Bible Study. 

In January, 1908, three score representative leaders in the 
Sunday-school work of North America, embracing the les- 
son committee, the lesson editors, the lesson writers, the 
publishers, and the international executive committee, com- 
ing from twelve States and two provinces, and representing 
eleven of the largest denominations—met in Boston—and 
were in session two days—to confer concerning the lesson 
system. They unanimously resolved that ‘‘the system of a 
general lesson for the whole school, which has been in success- 
ful operation for thirty-five years, is still the most practicable 
and effective system for the great majority of the Sunday- 
schools of North America;’’ and after recommending ‘‘its 
continuance and fullest development,’’ responded to the call 
of many schools and workers by commending the plan of ‘‘a 
thoroughly graded course of lessons covering the entire range 
of the Sunday-school.’’ 

With this endorsement, the 1,900 delegates to the twelfth 
International Sunday School Convention, in Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, June 20, 1908, unanimously approved the findings of 
the Boston Conference,—affirmed the necessity of ‘‘ continuing 
the lesson system,’’ ‘‘ which is rooted in the affection of many 
millions of people,’’ and instructed the lesson committee ‘‘to 
continue the preparation of a thoroughly graded course of 


248 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


lessons, which may be used by ,any Sunday-school which de- 
sires it either in whole or in part.”’ 

As a result of this action—there will be available, beginning 
with the autumn of 1909, a carefully graded course of les- 
sons prepared under the auspices of the international lesson 
committee. This course will offer two years’ special work for 
the beginners, already in use, a three years’ primary course, 
and a four years’ junior course, to be followed later by inter- 
mediate and senior courses, which will complete a graded 
curriculum for the Sunday-school. 

It is not without significance that in India alone, the inter- 
national lessons are translated into forty different languages 
and dialects. In New Zealand, Australia, Cape Colony and 
India, Japan, Korea and China, as well as Europe and Amer- 
ica, they are pulsating in the realm of Sunday-school thought, 
to the same purpose and the same desire and the same supreme 
end. 

Recognizing that “‘the great need of the present day Sun- 
day-school is the need of thoroughly equipped teachers; that 
the chief teacher of the teacher, and trainer of the trainers is 
the pastor ;’’ and that ‘‘the chief trainer of the pastor is the 
theological seminary,’’ the international Sunday-school associ- 
ation seeks to relate itself in vital co-operative service with 
the theological seminary, having in view greater efficiency in 
Sunday-school instruction among the 2,400,000 Sunday-school 
teachers. of the world, serving without compensation, or 
thought of reward, who have been called ‘‘our volunteer 
workers in education.’’ 

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, of Louisville, 
Kentucky, has maintained for several years a pastor’s con- 
ference, frequently attended by more than a thousand pastors, 
to consider the relation of the pastor and the Sunday-school 
with a course of lectures by Sunday-school experts. Two 
years ago the Seminary, following the wise leadership of its 
president, Rev. E. Y. Mullins, D.D., created a chair of Sunday- 
school Pedagogy, which is occupied by a Sunday-school expert. 

In February, 1908, an important conference of ‘‘the the- 
ological seminaries and the Sunday-schools’’? was held in 
Boston. Ten New England theological institutions were rep- 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. 249 


resented by presidents, or members of the faculties, and in 
the company of seventy-seven, who participated, were twelve 
editors, two bishops, twenty-three pastors, and a score of 
active Sunday-school leaders. 

The conference declared: ‘‘Encouraged with the attention 
which is being paid to fitting the students for their future 
pastoral work,’’ and then suggests: ‘‘In recognition of the im- 
portance of the Sunday-school in its relation to the Church, 
that the seminaries not already fully equipped should en- 
large their courses in principles and methods of Sunday-school 
work, either under the direction of the present member of the 
faculties, or by adding a new member to the teaching corps, 
or at least by furnishing an annual course of lectures, or by 
uniting with other seminaries, not too far removed, in employ- 
ing an instructor who shall serve them all in rotation.”’ 

As a result of this conference, the Hartford, Connecticut, 
Theological Seminary, and the Newton, Massachusetts, Theo- 
logical Institution have already provided for a course of ten 
lectures on the Sunday-school, by experts,—and the Boston 
University School of Theology will have a course of ‘lectures 
during the coming term. These are indicative of what will 
be done, we hope, in all the theological seminaries in America. 

The question concerning teachers and better teaching is 
one of the Sunday-school problems of to-day. Prof. Martin 
Brumbaugh says: ‘‘We teach more by what we are than by 
what we know.’’ Emerson once said: ‘‘ What you are, thun- 
ders so loud, I cannot hear what you say.’’ And yet, mere 
goodness is not enough. There is probably no person who will 
not become a more efficient teacher after careful training. 

In America there are more than a million volunteer Sunday- 
school teachers. The paramount purpose of the teacher is to 
save souls. Dr. Hamill says, ‘‘The Sunday-school teacher ut- 
terly fails, if he has not made spiritual impression on the boys 
and girls.’’ Dr. J. M. Buckley says: ‘‘ The Sunday-school that 
does not lead its pupils into the spiritual realm, is an ob- 
struction to the Kingdom of Christ.’’ 

Nearly all, if not all, of the publishing denominations in 
America are co-operating together, and with the ‘‘committee 
on education’’ of the International Sunday-School Associa- 


250 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


tion, established standards for ‘‘teacher training study and 
reading.”’ 

‘‘A Teacher Training Conference’’ was held in Philadel. 
phia in January, 1908. Forty denominational leaders in Sun- 
day-school work, and representatives from ten denominations 
were present. This conference standardized the teacher 
training work. ~The minimum requirements for the first 
course includes fifty lesson periods, of which, at least twenty 
should be devoted to the study of the Bible, at least seven, 
each, to the study of the pupil, the teacher, of the Sunday- 
school. The advanced course includes not less than one hun- 
dred lesson periods, with a minimum of forty lessons devoted 
to the study of the Bible, the Sunday-school, Chureh history, 
missions, and kindred themes. 

More detailed information can be obtained concerning 
‘‘Teacher Training Work’’ and rules by which diplomas can 
be obtained, and a list of books issued by the various denomi- 
nations by writing to the headquarters of the denomination 
to which one belongs, or to Dr. Franklin McElfresh, Superin- 
tendent of Teacher Training of the International Sunday 
School Association, 140 Dearborn st., Chicago, Ill. It is esti- 
mated that more than 100,000 teachers are already enrolled in 
the teacher training classes already organized. 

Thirty-six years ago there was little Sunday-school litera- 
ture. To-day there are many million dollars invested in edit- 
ing, published and distributing Sunday-school literature in 
all parts of the world. One denominational publishing house 
reports at least $2,000,000 capital—and approximately four 
hundred persons employed—an editorial department, an 
editor-in-chief, with six associates; each one of whom is expert 
in some department of Sunday-school work. There is, also, a 
large corps of regular and occasional contributors. 

This house publishes eighteen Sunday-school periodicals for 
the various grades from the beginners’ class up to the super- 
intendent’s magazine. The aggregate number of copies of these 
periodicals, circulated during the past year, was more than 
59,000,000. The catalogue contains, in its Sunday-school 
department, a list of 116 publications—and these exclusive 


EE 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. IL 


of periodicals representing supplementary lessons, text books, 
records, etc., of which thousands are sold annually. 

The latest information available reveals that there is printed 
for the use of Sunday-schools in all parts of the world, that 
the same lesson, the same text and the same topic may be stud- 
ied by about 26,000,000 people during the same week, and 
on the same Sunday, the world around,—more than one-half 
billion pieces of Sunday-school literature. 

Printed questions with definite answers, covering the im- 
portant historical events and teaching of the entire Bible. 
To accomplish the purpose in mind, it might require from one 
hundred to two hundred and fifty, or more, definite questions. 
These questions might be prepared by a committee from the 
various denominations, their work approved by the lesson 
committee and lesson editors, and thus becomes a part of the 
international lesson system. Each denomination might add 
denominational history and teaching for its own schools. 

The same or a similar committee might select from 250 to 
500 verses from the Old Testament and the New Testament, 
which ought to be committed to memory by every child in 
every home in America; and especially by the children in the 
homes of every member of our churches and congregations. 
‘Christ’s method of meeting temptation, argument, and giving 
instruction, by quoting from the Old Testament Scripture, is 
the best illustration of the use that both young and old can 
make of the possession of such portions of God’s Word. 

Inasmuch as the power to memorize Scripture is in child- 
hood, it is therefore apparent that this work should be begun 
at once, and become a part of the teaching work of the Sunday- 
school. 

Inasmuch as the home—the father and the mother—the 
older brother and sister—are the most important allies of the 
Sunday-school teacher, there should be prepared proper lit- 
erature in attractive and convenient form, which shall render 
immediate and practical help, suggesting how the members of 
the home can co-operate with the teacher in teaching the Sun- 
day-school lesson and to rightly influence the lives of the chil- 
dren in that home. 

Your committee present the following resolutions: 


252 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


1. That the Sunday-school is a very important Bible study- 
ing and teaching service of the Church. 

2. That the purpose of the Sunday-school is to teach reli- 
gious truth through the Bible—to lead the pupils to accept 
Jesus Christ as their Saviour—then to church membership, 
then the formation and development of Christian character, 
resulting in theif entrance into the activities of the Church. 

3. That the need of the Sunday-school is trained and equip- 
ped teachers; that the chief teacher and trainer of the teacher 
is the pastor; and the chief trainer of the pastor is the theo- 
logical seminary—hence we most cordially approve and urge 
as an example worthy to be universally followed the action of 
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, which for two 
years has maintained a chair of ‘‘Sunday-School Pedagogy,’’ 
occupied by a Sunday-school expert; and we rejoice further 
that forty-two theological seminaries in America are giving 
some time each year to the training of their students for the 
Sunday-school department of church work. 

4. That we approve the holding of teacher training confer- 
ences, similar to the one convened in Philadelphia, in January, 
1908, over which Prof. Martin G. Brumbaugh of Philadelphia 
presided, and forty leaders from ten denominations were pres- 
ent. This conference standardized the work of teacher train- 
ing—provided for the issuing of State and international cer- 
tificates, and fixed the minimum of fifty lessons and the max- 
imum of one hundred lessons in the courses to be studied. Al- 
ready, more than one hundred thousand Sabbath-school teach- 
ers in America are now taking some one of the courses pre- 
pared by the different denominations. 

5. That we regard the Sunday-school as ‘‘The most pro- 
ductive enterprise and the finest asset in the possession of the 
Church’’—the greatest missionary and temperance teaching 
organization within the Church; therefore we urge the closest 
possible relationship of the pastor to the teaching and other 
activities of the Sunday-school. 

6. That we recommend to the lesson comfnitéed! denomina- 
tional lesson editors, and the various publishers, the considera- 
tion of a plan whereby there shall be selected and put inte 
convenient and attractive form for the use in every home 


RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. 253 


within the constituency of all our churches, a group of Bible 
texts numbering perhaps one hundred and fifty to two hun- 
dred and fifty, embracing the choicest selections from the Old 
and New Testaments; in order that it shall be easy for the 
home to teach these selected verses to the members of the fam- 
ily at such an age as memory will commit and retain this 
Seripture during an entire lifetime. Christ’s method of meet- 
ing temptation and argument and giving instruction by quot- 
ing from the Old Testament Scriptures is the best illustration 
of the use that both young and old can make of the possession 
‘of such portions of God’s Word. 

7. That the existing organization of the Sunday-school 
forces of the world to-day is the highest expression, in action, 
of the declared purpose of the Federal Council of the Churches 
of Christ in America. 

8. That the Sunday-school leaders in the city, town, county, 
State, international and the world organization are among 
the most loyal members of the denomination to which they 
belong. 

9. That we approve the action of the twelfth International 
Sunday-school Convention at Louisville, June 19, 1908, when 
it instructed the lesson committee to continue the preparation 
of a thoroughly graded course of lessons, which may be used 
by any Sunday-school which desires it, either in whole, or in 
part. 

10. That we call attention to the vital importance of train- 
ing the members of the Sunday-school to regularly attend the 
preaching services of the Church. 


The Church and the Immigrant 


Tue Rey. Ozora 8S. Davis, D.D.* 


Your committee is not instructed to make an exhaustive 
report either upon the present conditions of immigration to 
the United States, or the duty of the individual evangelical 


THE REV. OZORA S. DAVIS, D.D. 


church or denomination 
for the religious care of 
these strangers. The pe- 
culiar task to which the 
committee is commis- 
sioned is to determine 
how far there may be in 
modern conditions a 
unique demand for a 
federated endeavor on 
the part of the evangel- 
ical churches in attack- 
ing the problem pre- 
sented by immigration; 
also to define those lines 
of common service to 
the Kingdom of God in 
which it seems clear that 
these churches may 
profitably advance to- 
gether. 


It is, therefore, first necessary to survey very briefly the 
changed character of modern immigration. 


*Chairman of the Committee on Church and the Immigrant Prob- 
lem; other members: B. A. Abbott, T. C. Carter, W. H. Gailey, W. 
H. Graham, H. B. Grose, H. Harmeling, C. R. Harris, G. Heinmiller, 
“M. D. Helmick, H. T. Johnson, J. G. Kircher, E. W. Lampton, Robert 
Mackenzie, W. L. McEwan, Shailer Mathews, G. F. Mosher, W. L. 8. 
Murray, J. H. Prugh, G. C. Rankin, J. B. Remensnyder, R. T. Roberts, 
A. E. Steiner, E. Talbot, A. D. Thaeler, C. F. Thornblad and J. M. 


Walden. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 87. 


254 


THE CHURCH AND THE IMMIGRANT PROBLEM. 255 


One of the outstanding facts that conditions the religious 
work done by the churches of the United States is the com- 
plex character of the population due to constant immigra- 
tion. The United States has received an immense contribu- 
tion from outside its borders, which has vastly supplemented 
its natural growth. This fact has determined to a very large 
extent the character of the work done by our churches. 

The earlier wave of immigration was primarily from north- 
western Europe and therefore represented races closely akin 
to the inhabitants of the United States at that time. These 
races also had been closely associated with the early English 
stock which had peopled our country. 

Of late years this condition has changed. If we draw a 
line from Genoa to St. Petersburg it will enable us to make 
a division of the land area into two sections, northwestern and 
southeastern Europe. For the year 1906, excluding 7.9 per 
cent. of the total immigration which came from other coun- 
tries than Europe, we find that only 20.5 per cent. came from 
the northwestern section. From the southeastern section on 
the other hand came 71.6 per cent. These countries made the 
great bulk of the contribution: Italy 25 per cent.; Austria- 
Hungary, 24 per cent.; Russia, 20 per cent. 

To this shift in the geographical source of immigration in 
recent years corresponds a radical change in the moral and 
religious character of the people who seek our shores. They 
come from the strongholds of Jewish and Greek and Roman 
Catholic religious denomination. The majority of them re- 
ceived baptism in the Roman Catholic Church and the major 
part of this number remains loyal at least to the name of the 
church of their childhood. On the other hand, there is an ele- 
ment of reaction among them which is represented by the infi- 
del and atheist club. They have revolted from the doctrines 
and practice of the national church, and in protest have swung 
to the extreme of blasphemous denial of every essential Chris- 
tian truth. An example of this is the atheist cathechism 
taught regularly to twelve thousand Bohemian children in 
the United States. 

Between these extremes of radical revolt on the one hand, 
and utter, uncompromising loyalty to a church order that 


256 FEDEKAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


unites religion, patriotism, education and social interests, is 
the little body of evangelical Christians. They represent the 
Lutheran, Reformed, Waldensian and other bodies who have 
in some cases maintained themselves in unbroken line through 
centuries of opposition in the homeland. Thus, while evan- 
gelical Christianity, as historically understood and practiced 
in this country, is practically unknown to the vast majority 
of recent immigrants, there is nevertheless a feeble minority, 
who are the one bond of union in effort between American 
evangelical Christianity and the new-comers, and to whom we 
owe a superior service. Thus the evangelical churches of the 
United States are brought face to face with an unprecedent- 
ed opportunity and a paramount obligation. 

In this great task of assimilating this incoming people re- 
ligion must play a supreme part. It is a factor which is not 
yet reckoned with sufficiently. Industrial, political, moral and 
social forces are less important and formative than the shap- 
ing power of religion. The churches have the greatest force 
at their command to blend and fuse diverse and often con- 
flicting elements. The churches must be aroused to a new 
consciousness of this fact, to the variety of work to be done 
by them. 

A. Education in English. 

The most obvious difficulty that emerges as we survey the 
task before the churches is the barrier of language interposed 
by all teaching, preaching and pastoral service. The mastery 
of English to some fair degree of efficiency is absolutely neec- 
essary before the message of the Gospel can be given these 
strangers through the ordinary means at the command of 
the churches. 

B. Co-operation with the Schools. 

Therefore the churches must support and co-operate with 
the public schools to the fullest possible extent. Wherever 
possible the school officials should be made conscious of the 
hearty support of the churches. In many cases night schools 
will be opened for foreign speaking men if the churches en- 
courage and support the movement. The churches also should 
make it a part of their work to exalt the schools and encourage 
their foreign-speaking constituents to attend. Here com- 


THE CHURCH AND THE IMMIGRANT PROBLEM. 257 


mon lessons are learned; a common language is spoken; and 
men who had not known one another are brought to under- 
stand that they are fellow-citizens and may be brothers. 

C. The Foreign-speaking Mission. 

To present the Gospel to those who do not know it and to 
confirm and strengthen its confessors, in their faith during 
the perilous period of their adjustment to a new world, is 
the task of the churches in relation to the immigrant. For 
this work they must equip and maintain the mission in which 
the mother tongue of these people is spoken. No speech is so 
sweet to our ears as the tongue of our childhood, and the 
message of the Redeemer is most winsome in the language of 
the old home. Therefore the foreign-speaking mission is a 
necessity in the adequate religious care of the immigrant. The 
final purpose of this missionary endeavor is either to create the 
independent church or to bring into organic relationship with 
an existing church those who become possessors of evangel- 
ical faith through the activity of the mission. 

D. The Foreign-speaking Church. 

For one generation at least, probably for two, and perhaps 
for three, the foreign-speaking church is a necessity in reli- 
gious work for immigrants. In the end nothing less than the 
English tongue will suffice for the service of worship and the 
means of preaching. The children and grandchildren of the 
immigrant insist upon its use and the foreign-speaking church 
must ultimately become the English-speaking church. As a 
_ temporary expedient, however, the foreign-speaking church 
must be established and maintained. 

E. Each Church attacking the Problem in its own field. 

Aside from the foreign-speaking mission and the foreign- 
speaking church, it is possible for almost every church to at- 
tempt definite work in the religious care of the immigrant in 
its own building and through the agencies of its own workers. 
Schools for instruction in English and in the fundamental 
principles of evangelical faith can be organized and equipped 
without diminishing the service rendered to the English speak- 
ing congregation, and at the same time afford an enlarged 
field of service for young people and Jay workers of every 
age. Interpreters or trained missionaries are able to work 


258 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


all the better if they feel the strong support and fellowship 
of a church behind them. 

When the churches are brought face to face with his oppor- 
tunity and service, there is bound to arise a peculiar demand 
for comity and federation in this work. 

To attempt this task at haphazard is to overlap in effort 
and neglect either certain races or areas in the field that ought 
to be served by the united effort of the evangelical churches 
of the community. Therefore a peculiar need arises for the 
federation of the churches in their attack upon the foreign 
problem. Even in small communities the need of such ac- 
tion is evident and in larger cities it is imperative. 

The first duty in attempting a federated effort is to get at 
the facts concerning the races to be dealt with, the peculiar 
points of contact for evangelical truth in each case, and the 
best methods by which work may be begun. 

The second step is to study the economy of this service, to 
see which churches by virtue of their equipment and location 
can begin independent work, and what union missionary move- 
ments should be entered into by the federated churches of the 
city. 

At this point arises the significance of what we have learned 
from Foreign Missions concerning united effort. It is true 
of the vast majority of immigrants, as it is true of men and 
women in heathen countries, that differences in form of gov- 
ernment and points of theology, which seem very important 
to us here are exceedingly unimportant to them. The ne- 
cessity of defining and exalting evangelical truth is so much 
greater than the need of emphasizing denominational differ- 
ences, that federated effort becomes more reasonable and pos- 
sible in home missions and foreign missions than in our reg- 
ular church work. Immigrants are only cone by our 
many names and our many differences. 

The recent developments in Foreign Mission fields where- 
by missionary endeavor is federated point the way to a prac- 
tical union of effort in our own home work, and we must not 
fall behind our brethren in foreign lands in the united ser- 
vice of missionary advance. 

Along with this demand for federated effort arising from 


THE CHURCH AND THE IMMIGRANT PROBLEM. 259 


suggestion is the work of the Young Men’s Christian Asso- 
ciation whose immigration department is setting the example 
and breaking the way for the churches with remarkable pre- 
vision and effectiveness. Both at Ellis Island and in the field 
itself the Association is laboring with enthusiasm and suc- 
cess. 

It is also possible to make a far wider use of the denomina- 
tional publications already to be had, since they almost in- 
variably are concerned with the body of common evangelical 
truth rather than with peculiar points of faith or practice. 

B. Tent Work in Federation. 

Attention has been called in correspondence to the possi- 
bility of tent work among immigrants during the summer 
months by federated churches. This is very often a feasible 
way in which to begin. It is transient in duration and its re- 
sults are intangible, yet undoubtedly much good can be done 
in this way. The possibility of such a service by a city fed- 
eration is peculiarly feasible and is urged by the committee 
upon the attention of city churches. 

C. Colportage and Camp Work. 

The use of colportage service for Bible and literature dis- 
tribution, and the auxiliary of the stereopticon for preach- 
_ ing, is being employed with success. This opens to a federated 
body of churches a method of common endeavor which is at- 
tended with little difficulty and is fruitful of large results. 
D. Union foreign-speaking Missions. 

In the minds of many correspondents there exists a grave 
doubt as to the expediency of union missions. Experience in 
many cases has proved that these languish and are not revived 
except under the strong impulse of denominational control. 
When the mission reaches the point of organization into a 
church, there seems to be no dissent from the judgment that 
the new institution must be a denominational organism, the ~ 
nature of which should best minister to the conditions of its 
membership. 

Inasmuch therefore as there is grave doubt as to the wisdom 
of undenominational missions to immigrants, and the denom- 
inational definition must be preserved in new churches as or- 
ganized the ideal for the present seems to be denominational 


260 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


service under federated counsel. Federations should survey 
the field, classify the facts, map out and assign work to be 
done, encourage and direct the service when necessary, but 
leave the prosecution of the work to the individual church or 
denomination in the field. The federation is not the agent to 
do the work immediately ; that is the task of the church or the 
denomination. 

Pursuing such a policy of federated service the evangelical 
churches of a city, district or state may reasonably expect the 
following distinct gains: 

A. The Gospel will be Preached. 

The supreme need of the immigrant is to know the Gospel. 
The purpose of the evangelical churches is not to proselyte 
Greek or Roman Catholics. The latter hold their missions to 
non-Catholics, which are openly advertised as such. The 
evangelical churches are entrusted with the apostolic task of 
preaching the Gospel. If a nominal member of a church 
bearing the Christian name knows the meaning of the Gospel 
he will not be injured by hearing it again; and if he does not, 
he ought to be privileged to hear it, irrespective of his nominal 
allegiance to any ecclesiastical body. Federated effort will in- 
sure the sinking of unessential differences and the preaching 
of the Gospel in its simple and saving form. 

B. Economy of Service. 

The federated churches can map out the work, see to it that 
there is neither oversight nor waste, and aid each church to 
undertake such work as it can under its own roof and by its 
own agencies. It would be possible under federation to have 
a new impression of the unity and strength of evangelical 
churches concretely presented, while individual initiative and 
denominational efficiency would still be preserved. 

Your committee therefore heartily urges the possibility, ne- 
‘eessity and utility of federated service on the part of the 
churches, within the limits prescribed above, to the immi- 
grants, and presents the following resolutions: 

Whereas, There has been within recent years a radical 
change in the source and character of the immigration to 
America; and 

Whereas, There is in the popular mind a prevalent temper 


THE CHURCH AND THE IMMIGRANT PROBLEM. 261 


of disparagement of these strangers which ill consists with the 
spirit and teaching of Jesus concerning human brotherhood; 

Resolved, That the Federal Council urge upon the churches 
that they recognize in the problem of the religious care of the 
immigrant an unprecedented opportunity and a. paramount 
obligation, and that they undertake this service wherever pos- 
sible in the spirit of Christ. 

Whereas, It appears from a survey of the work now being 
done for the religious care of the immigrants by the evangel- © 
ical churches of the United States that certain agencies of an 
interdenominational character are already at work in the field, 
as, for example, the American Bible Society, the several State 
Bible Societies, the American Tract Society, and the Young 
Men’s Christian Association; therefore be it 

Resolved, That the Federal Council of the Churches of 
Christ in America hopes for a wider use of these agencies on 
the part of federated or denominational bodies and commends 
them to the churches for support. 

Recognizing the fact that the possession of a common lan- 
guage is the most essential factor in successful preaching and 
worship, it is hereby 

Resolved, That we urge upon the churches a keener appre- 
ciation of the work of the public schools, particularly through 
their evening sessions, in teaching the newcomers English, 
and call the attention of the churches to the opportunity for 
similar service in connection with their Sunday-school and 
church work. 

Inasmuch as work for the religious care of the immigrants 
must depend for its success and permanence upon accurate 
Imowledge of the local conditions under which such work must 
be done, and this information can be secured most econom- 
ically by the joint action of the churches of a city or neighbor- 
hood ; therefore 

Besolyed, That we an to the attention of the churches in 
every city and district the necessity for federated action in ob- 
taining facts concerning their several fields of service, and de- 
vising the best methods and agents to be employed in under- 
taking the service in any case. 2 

In view of the changed conditions of a great majority of 


262 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCITES OF CHRIST. 


our parishes and the coming into them of great numbers of 
foreign-speaking immigrants; therefore, 

Resolved, That the Federal Council urge upon the churches 
wherever possible the starting of work for the religious care 
of these people in their own buildings, and through the agency 
of their own volunteer or paid workers. 

Whereas, There exists in the present opportunity for the 
religious care of immigrants by the churches of the United 
States a unique demand for federated endeavor within certain 
limits; and 

Whereas, It does not appear that the undertaking of defi- 
nite missionary work for these people by federation is in gen- 
eral expedient; be it 

Resolved, That we urge upon the churches that local federa- 
tions, in district, city or state, survey the field, study condi- 
tions and plan the work to be undertaken, leaving its prosecu- 
tion to the church or denomination assigned to the particular 
service, the federation standing ready with counsel and en- 
couragement to bring such denominational endeavor to the 
full measure of efficiency. 


Sunday Observance 
Tue Rev. FreDERIcK D. Power, D.D.* 


Christians are united in their regard for the Lord’s Day 
as a day of rest and worship, and in their stand against the 
secularizing influences that would destroy it. The strain of 
our modern civilization, 
and consequent reaction 
and restlessness and 
passion for diversion 
and recreation; the 
growth of materialism, 
and indifference to the 
higher interests of 
man’s spiritual nature; 
the increase of unneces- 
sary labor on the Lord’s 
Day in Government ser- 
vice, the work of great 
corporations and in va- 
rious lines of business 
and pleasure; the multi- 
plication among us of 
Sunday amusements— 
theatres, excursions, 
ball games, Sunday so- 
cial functions, and the 
hke—give great concern to those who hold this institution as a 
sacred and perpetual witness of the resurrection of our Divine 
Lord and a Day of Rest for all people. As one of the corner- 
stones of our Christian civilization whose desecration means 


THE REV. F. D. POWER, D.D. 


*Chairman of Committee on Sunday Observance; other members: 
W. B. Anderson, W. A. Bartlett, E. E. Beard, George S. Bennett, L. 
Bookwalter, John Merrill Davis, H. K. Fenner, M. R. Franklin, Charles 
L. Goodell, H. C. Griffiths, S. R. Harris, Wayland Hoyt, T. M. Hunter, 
Finis S. Idleman, T. N. Ivey, M. Kolyn, G. W. Lasher, William McKib- 
bin, J. B. Weston, G. B. Wight, A. S. Zerbe. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 102. 


263 


264. FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


the degeneration of society, all lovers of liberty and human 
rights should see that it is safeguarded and preserved. 

We are gratified at the action of Congress forbidding the 
opening of the doors of the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition 
on Sunday, and at the President’s order that Sunday work in 
the Departments of the Government must be restricted to 
‘“‘that which is of an emergency character or which is recog- 
nized as being absolutely necessary to the public interest and 
welfare,’’ and the closing of the gates of the League Island 
Naval Station to the public on Sunday. 

We are grateful that the American Federation of Labor, 
representing over two millions of men, has declared emphat- 
ically in favor of the Sunday rest day; and that organizations 
like the National Drugs Association have adopted resolutions 
‘*to lessen their sales by confining their Sunday trade strictly 
to works of necessity and merey.’’ For these and many other 
evidences of reverence for the Lord’s Day we are thankful. 

1. We are first to remember that the proper observance of 
the Lord’s Day is an obligation we owe to the Lord. The 
first principle involved is the consecration of one-seventh of 
our time to God. We have no objection to reading the com- 
mandment: ‘‘Remember that you keep holy one day in seven. 
Consecrate this day unto the Lord as the Lord’s. Let it be 
unlike other days. Sanctify it.’’ We esteem it the duty of 
Christians on Sunday to put first things first, to suffer no en- 
oagements, or guests, or functions, or recreations, or amuse- 
ments to interfere with the proper observance of the sacred 
day in attendance upon the ordinances of God. We are to be 
‘in the spirit on the Lord’s Day.’’ The Lord’s Day is a 
Holy Day. 

2. We believe to keep holy the Lord’s Day Christians must 
conscientiously abstain from all unnecessary secular work. 
This suspension of labor is necessary in the interest of labor 
itself. ‘‘The keeping of one day in seven as a time of relaxa- 
tion and refreshment as well as of public worship is of ad- 
mirable service to the state considered merely as a civil in- 
stitution,’’ wrote Blackstone. ‘‘ While industry is suspended, 
the plow lies in the furrow, the exchange is silent, no smoke 
ascends from the factory, a process is going on quite as im- 


Ld 


“ SUNDAY OBSERVANCE. 265 


portant to the wealth of the nation,’’ writes Macaulay. ‘‘Man, 
machine of machines, is repairing and winding up so that he 
returns to his labor on Monday with clearer intellect, livelier 
spirit, and renewed corporeal vigor.’’ ‘‘From a moral, social, 
and physical point of view observance of Sunday is a duty of 
absolute consequence,’’ said Mr. Gladstone. Physiologists, 
political economists, business men, workingmen are one as to 
this necessity of the cessation of toil. The Lord’s Day is the 
Rest Day. 

3. Righteous regard for this pearl of days demands of all 
due respect for the rights of others. That all who serve may 
have their rest day the selfish indulgence of those who give 
themselves up to greed or pleasure must be rebuked. Sun- 
day dinners and receptions, Sunday games and shows, Sun- 
day travel and business mean that some are compelled to 
labor in order to minister to the indulgence of others. ‘‘The 
Rest Day was made for man,”’ said the Master, every man, and 
He set the example by doing unselfish service and helping the 
helpless on the day of rest. As “‘there is no Sabbath in the 
Temple,’’ so ‘‘Good deeds have no Sabbath,’’ and it is a good 
deed to protect every man in his right to his rest day. The 
Lord’s Day is Man’s Day. 

4. The Lord’s Day ‘kept sacredly is an absolute need for 
the home and family. Family religion is one of the much 
neglected duties of our time. The safety of the home is the 
safety of the nation. ‘‘The family forms the commencement 
and foundation of the moral world.’’ The culture of the 
child has a vital place in the work of the Kingdom. Secular 
thoughts, secular works, secular pleasures, secular sins crowd- 
ing out the interests of our Christian day of rest and worship, 
threaten the home which is the citadel of our American civ- 
ilization. 

The Lord’s Day, after the hours of public worship should 
be kept sacred to the duties and joys of family life. Parents 
should not leave, even to the Sunday-school, the Christian 
culture of their children. The rest day should be the happiest 
day of all the week in the home, and the religion of Christ 
be given the supreme place in the minds and hearts of the 
young. The Lord’s Day is the Home Day. 


266 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCIIES OF CHRIS. 


5. We believe that in every community lovers of the Lord’s 
Day should stand together against the inroads of its enemies. 
The introduction by immigrants of the Continental concep- 
tions of Sunday, the organization of Secular Unions and Lib- 
erty Leagues for its destruction; the saloon with its lawless- 
ness; the indifference, neglect and even open violation on the 
part of many church people, and determined resistance to 
Sunday regulations on the part of mistaken religionists, must 
be met. Nothing less than physical and spiritual health, fam- 
ily and Christian life, national prosperity and the advance- 
ment of the Kingdom of God call for such federation of the 
forces of righteousness to hold this Christian institution invio- 
late. The Lord’s Day is the Day of days. 

Your committee recommends the adoption of the following 
resolutions : 

1. It is the sense of the Council that a new and stronger 
emphasis should be given in the pulpit, the Sunday-school, 
and the home to the Scriptural Observance of the first day of 
the week as the sacred day, the home day, the rest day for 
every man, woman, and child. 

2. That all encroachments upon the claims and sanctities 
of the Lord’s Day should be stoutly resisted through the press, 
by the Lord’s Day associations and alliances, and by such leg- 
islation as may be secured to protect and preserve this bulwark 
of our American Christianity. e 

3. That we rejoice in the prospect of unity of action among 
the various organizations striving in America for the preserva- 
tion of the Lord’s Day as a day for rest and worship. 


Temperance 
THE Rey. Lutuer B. Wison, D.D.; LL.D.* 


In determining the attitude of the Christian Church toward 
the liquor traffic it may strengthen conviction to note the 
attitude of that traffic toward the constructive forces of our 
civilization to the pro- 
motion of which the 
church must regard her- 
self as pledged. 

Mindful of the Mas- 
ter’s interest in the mul- 
titude and recognizing, 
as every careful observ- 
er must recognize the 
advantage of thrift and 
the moral significance of 
comfort in individual 
and family life there 
must be deep concern in 
industrial conditions. 
The workman in what- 
ever field, his dress, his 
table, his home must 
have our solicitous con- 
cern. We can but be 
interested to note the 
movements which serve to extend the field of remunerative 
toil and which tend to eliminate the needlessly enervating 
and debasing. Schemes of national protection and encour- 


THE REY. LUTHER B. WILSON, D.D., LL.D. 


*Chairman of the Committee on Temperance; other members: Asher 
Anderson, B. W. Anthony, J. P. Barrett, S. Z. Batten, W. H. Bucks, 
George E. Burlingame, W. D. Cook, James B. Davies, Samuel Dickie, J. 
E. Digel, D. Stuart Dodge, W. H. Fouke, Luther Freeman, H. C. Gara, 
John T. T. Handley, P. S. Leinbach, N. L. Linebaugh, D. D. Lowery, 
W. J. Meredith, George A. Miller, L. A. Platts, G. E. Reed, L. H. Reyn- 
olds, J. W. Smith and Z. A. Space. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 103. 
267 


268 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


agement are accepted if their advantage to one is not offset 
by disadvantage to another. Christianity must rejoice in the’ 
signs of prosperity whenever they appear and must deplore 
their absence when the hum of industry ceases. 

Does the liquor traffic promote industrial prosperity? 
Apart from the class immediately engaged in the manufacture 
and sale of liquor who is advantaged? Not those who are the 
patrons of the saloon, for in the degree of their indulgence do 
they lose their value as wealth producers, not only because 
loss of time results from such indulgence but because the eye 
loses its sharpness of vision, the hand its deftness, the mind 
its steadiness. No merchant who seeks to maintain the pace 
of the age will continue in his employ the man who yields to 
the appetite for strong drink. No manufacture will entrust to 
such a man a task of responsibility. No corporation of stand- 
ing but will insist upon sobriety as a condition of employment, 
while in the learned professions the suspicion of indulgence 
would turn aside patient or client. The traffic is never the 
ally of other industries: it is a parasite upon the body of 
trade. There is scarcely a man in any community who is not 
the richer by its removal, scarcely one in any community who 
does not suffer appreciable loss by its presence. 
~ Under the license law of many cities and states, it is claimed 
that the citizen gains in the tax rate by the presence of the 
saloon if in no other way. It is forgotten that if this were 
true what the saloon turns into the public treasury must 
first be taken from its patrons, but it has been demonstrated 
that the claim can not be substantiated and the record of the 
traffic is the record of the few enriched with the multitude 
proportionately impoverished. It is a record of burdens 
added to the shoulders of toil generally, but specifically where 
the material comfort of life has been diminished, and where 
the multitudes have sunk into debasing pauperism this has 
been the chief cause of their submergence. That is to say if 
the ledger can show financial gain by this traffic it is the gain 
of the few at the expense of the many, and outside the narrow 
class of producer and distributor he is the greatest loser who 
has had most to do with it. 

What is its relation to education? Multitudes and physical 


a ee 


‘TEMPERANCE. 269 


resource can not make the sort of a world which shall realize 
our Lord’s conception. At an immense outlay we foster the 
educational system of our day,—common school, college, uni- 
versity. It is not a matter in which alone civil government is 
interested but in which likewise the Church of Christ must be 


_concerned. Let every life have the broadest possible outlook. 


Let there be not only the recognition of facts as they appear 
superficially but let there be likewise understanding of the 
deeper things, a penetration into the philosophy of history. 
The deeper thought shall discover delights of life which the 
shallower can not know. Here is one of the places where no 
Christian need ever play off the present against the future. 
“‘Let knowledge grow from more to more.’’ The disciple of 
the Christ must re-echo such a wholesome word. How stands 
this traffic in its relation to thought life? The traffic means 
indulgence, but indulgence means the lowering of vitality in 
this thought life, the enfeeblement ultimately of every intel- 
lectual faculty, the blurring of every conception, the blot- 
ting of all that is beautiful in imagination, the disturbance of 
reason, the distortion of every picture of memory. The mad- 
house is crowded with those whom this traffic has driven there, 
while outside, the intellectually ruined move in pitiable mul- 
titudes. 

Religion is the greatest constructive force of the world. 
Of it industry and education are properly handmaids, if in- 
deed they are not merely its expression: the soul life one, its 
function and phases many. But in the narrowest sense and 
in a way compatible with poverty of mind and purse reli- 
gion is the great elevating power—a proposition which needs 
no argument in the face of universal experience. What bear- 
ing has intemperance upon the ethical life, or upon religious 
emotion, upon the concepts God, neighbor, duty, destiny? 
What is its relation to virtue and to vice, to honor and dis- 
honor, righteousness and sin? Who does not know all too 
much of those tragedies which this traffic has brought about? 

If the great constructive forces of civilization working to- 
gether through the centuries find their produce in the en- 
lightment, the liberty, the uplifting to higher levels of the 
individual life, if for this the great thinkers have striven, if 


270 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHUKCHES OF CHRIST. 


for this heroism has contended upon a thousand battlefields— 


if for this prophet and priest have climbed the hills of vis- 


ion and builded the altar of sacrifice, if for this Calvary 
has not only manifested but in some real sense measured the 
love of God,—then what must be thought of a force which 


makes against this man, and which in proportion as its power . 


is exerted under the law of habit, means the undoing of all 
that the centuries have done? The Church if it sees clearly 
the facts as they are can not be indifferent, can not be silent 
upon the subject. Statesmen worthy the name have fitly 
characterized this traffic in strong drink as the greatest pro- 
moter of disease, pauperism, ignorance, and crime in all the 
category of present ills,—and a wise statesmanship would de- 
clare its proper treatment is the greatest issue of our times. 

What shall the Church do? Speaking after the manner of 
men the Church may be divided into the pulpit and the pew. 
The pulpit must publish in God’s name its message for the 
quickening of conscience and the clarifying of moral vision. 
Whatever else it may declare concerning this traffic two ut- 
terances must be clear: 

First we venture to assert there can be no course of safety 
for Church or Society except in the practice of total absti- 
nence by the individual. With the appalling tragedies of the 
days before us can there be conceived in moderate indul- 
gence such gratification as outweighs the dangers of excess? 
Is the wine cup safe in any house or any hand? If the hand 
that holds it be the hand of the strong, it can not be forgotten 
that many just as strong have been mastered and ruined 
by it. But if this is the’ really strong, yet the law for the 
strong is service and not self-indulgence. The day has come 
when with all the problems of our complex eivilization to 
solve, and with the records of the past writ large for our 
reading, no man in any place, who has respect unto himself, 
or regards as worthy of his sacrifice the welfare of his brother 
man, should lift the wine cup to his lips. ' 

The pulpit must be lacking in its knowledge of what the 
world well knows, or be recreant to the duty laid upon it if 
it shall not lift the standard of individual duty up to total 
abstinence and not one hair’s breadth lower. Social drinking 


y 
J 


| 
: 
; 


TEMPERANCE. 271 


customs may obtain, and those given to indulgence are sen- 
sitive when such things are set forth in their true light, but 
if the pulpit is established of God not for the reflecting of 
popular opinion, but for the publication of the true and good 
then it must not fail in the utterance of its message, hoping, 
believing that manhood yea and womanhood shall hear its 
utterance as the voice of God. ; 

So much may the pulpit say. What shall the pew do? 

First, accept that plea for personal sobriety, the rich and 
poor alike persuaded to an acceptance of the standard, but 
accepting that plea likewise against the traffic and going out 
with such endeavor as seems appropriate to such a conviction. 

But who will claim that the Christian man has done his full 
duty when he has only abstained from the personal use of a 
so destructive curse? He should, to the full extent of his op- 
portunity, use his influence for the removal of the temptation 
from the youth and from his brothers, who have already been 
weakened by hereditary or indulgence. His influence should 
be exerted not only socially but politically as well, until the 
greatest curse, which has afflicted the nations, is banished from 
our entire land. In our land no evil can long withstand the 
power of the Christian Churches united. 

And if the pulpit and the pew shall agree in the convic- 
tion that in respect of the use of strong drink, total abstinence 
is demanded of the individual, then it will follow that in re- 
spect of its sale, as a beverage, prohibition should be the 
policy of the state. It is not an academic question but one 
of practical morality. If the voice of every pulpit rang clear 
and the laity of every church republished the message what 
must come to pass? It would be as if Sinai with its thun- 
ders and lightmings were at hand, and conscience in that 
presence would recognize the inherent sinfulness of such a 
traffic. Seeimg the undivided responsibility attaching to the 
promotion of the iniquity many in private and public life 
would change sides, coming from the place of friendliness or 
of indifference over to that of opposition to the traffic. 

Laws long upon the statute books, but as long inoperative 
would become effective. Privilege long ago secured for the 
correction of the ill would be utilized. Under the dominion 


. 


272 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


of a new conviction the people would demand more whole- 
some laws for city, county, state, nation, and as the territory 
of prohibition grew would demand the right of safeguarding 
it against the invasion of organized greed, however reinforced 
or defended. 

If the Church can not rear men capable of dealing with the 
world’s problem, then it needs a new baptism of wisdom and 
of power. It would seem as though already God had spoken, 
as though the Church were awaking to hear and heed His 
voice. The cleansing of our land is going forward. In no 
other movement has the solidarity of the Christian Church 
yielded more significant results. The time is ripe for action. 

The Church must exercise her function of leadership. She 
must not temporize, must not hesitate, must not compromise. 
Hers is the opportunity for bringing to a speedy end this 
giant wrong that has outlived its day, this wrong whose con- 
tinuance is an indictment against our mind or our conscience. 
Love and hate are complemental forces. -If we love God we 
must hate that which opposes Him. If we love man we must 
hate those evils which work his wretchedness. If we love and 
are loyal to the Christ who died for man’s redemption, then 


must we set ourselves resolutely and unreservedly against — 


the legalized traffic in strong drink. 

Let pulpit and pew unite. Let all the Christian Churches 
of the land give themselves to this holy crusade, and it shall 
come right speedily that in respect of this evil, our land shall 
have a stainless flag, and the Church shall sing the triumph 
song for the achievement of such a moral victory as no cen- 
tury has ever yet beheld. 

The following recommendations are presented for the ap- 
proval of the Council: 

1. The education of the young by the intelligent use of the 
temperance lessons in the Sunday-schools, and the introduc- 
tion into secular schools, of primary and secondary grades, of 
such text-books as shall make plain the effect of alcoholic in- 
dulgence upon body and mind, and show clearly the effect 
of the traffic upon economic and social conditions, and the 
relation of the traffic to pauperism, ignorance and crime. We 
recommend also the dissemination of literature in all lan- 


TEMPERANCE. 273 


_ guages presenting the results of scientific investigations, into 


all phases of the subject, so that everywhere thought may be 
enlightened and good citizenship be promoted. 

2. The recognition and approval in commerce as in the af- 
fairs of State, of those who honor conscience by their refusal 
to have part in the offense of the liquor power. And like- 
wise the practical disapproval of those who, for selfish ends, 
lend their power of thought or wealth or public office to the 
defense or support of this iniquitous traffic, either at home or 
in foreign lands. 

3. The encouragement of every organization or enterprise 
which in any measure strengthens sentiment against the use 
and sale of alcohol as a beverage. 

4. The re-employment of the old methods of Gospel Tem- 
perance with the public and private declaration that men and 
women should be, and by the grace of God may be, delivered 
from the thrall of strong drink. 

5. A campaign of temperance pledge signing by young and 
old. 

6. The appeal to citizenship, that prohibitive laws already 
upon the statute books of the several States shall be enforced 
and that as opportunity presents, these shall be supplemented 
by more adequate provisions until the rule of the State shall 
be the standard of our conviction. 

7. That the National Congress be urged so to frame its 
Inter-State enactments as to avoid the nullification of tem- 
perance legislation in the several States. 

8. That the action of Congress for the abolition of the beer 
selling canteen in our military establishment and in our Na- 
tional Soldiers’ Homes be approved and also the appropriation 
to this date of nearly $3,000,000 for the erection, equipment 
and maintenance of recreation buildings for the benefit of 
the enlisted men ; and we urge the membership of our churches 
throughout the country to resist the systematic efforts of the 
brewers to re-establish the official sale of liquors in these in- 
stitutions. 

9. We recommend such action by the State legislatures and 
by the National Congress as shall serve in the fullest sense to 
protect the Indians against the evils of strong drink. 


Local Federations 


THE Rev. E. P. Ryuanp.* 


In order to make ‘‘The Plan of Federation’’ most effective 
and to create a Federation conscience in the ranks of the 
members of the Church of Christ in America, it is imperative 
that Local Federations, 
as provided for in ‘‘The 
Plan of Federation,’’ be 
organized. The reasons 
for Local Federations 
are close akin to those 
for the National Feder- 
ation, viz: 

1. That a locally fed- 
erated Protestantism 
may bear witness in our 
American cities and 
communities to the Di- 
vine mission of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. This 
it does through united 
evangelistic work, union 
Bible schools, and mis- 
sions, street preaching 

THE REV. E. P. RYLAND. and all other means for 
proclaiming the gospel message, in which Christians of dif- 
ferent denominations can co-operate. 

2. That the federated churches may maintain a permanent 
system of house to house visitation, by which a census can 
be periodically taken of the church preferences of all the fam- 
ilies in the community, strangers newly arrived in the com- 


*Chairman of the Committee on Local Federations; other members: 
William H. Boocock, 8. B. Brownell, J. H. Goldner, Wm. M. Lanning, 
Henry A. Miner, J. M. Read, Ward T. Sutherland, I. W. L. Roundtree, 
FE. M. Thresher, W. E. Tilroe, E. S. Tipple, S. W. Trousdale. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 110. 


274 


LOCAL FEDERATIONS. 275 


munity may be helped as soon as possible to find a church 
home in the denomination of their choice and by the ‘‘ District 
Parish Plan,’’ or some other method every family may be 
brought into the pastoral care of one of the local churches. 

3. That the forces of Christ in our American communities 
may be made effective in opposing the evils of our modern 
municipal life, especially in our large cities. The federated 
Protestantism of our cities should be the mightiest and most 
dreaded foe of civic corruption. 

4. That these forces of Christ may at once be more effective 
in doing a constructive social work that the Church should 
do, but has, on account of a lack of proper organization, left 
to other and less effective agencies. Local prison-reform, char- 
ities, public playgrounds, the tuberculosis problem, housing 
the poor, child labor, all these and kindred questions should 
be under the consideration and immediate influence of the 
Chureh of Christ. Our Lord is the true Vine that produces 
such fruit. The Church too often allows it to appear as 
though it were the fruit of a non-Christian vine. The Church 
is in danger of delegating far too much of her work to out- 
side organizations because of a lack of proper federation of 
forces. 

After corresponding with the leaders in Local Federation 
in a number of cities, we have reached the following conclu- 
sions which we respectfully submit: 

1. There are three kinds of local organizations possible: 

(a) Where the community is so small as to have but one 
congregation. The method in such case is simply to organize 
that congregation so as to do the work contemplated by Fed- 
eration. é 

(b) In towns and small cities it is generally impracticable 
to provide money for salaries of paid workers and for the inci- 
dental expenses of the fully equipped federation center. The 
organization should be simple and only those departments of 
work should be undertaken that can be carried on by volunteer 
workers. 

(ec) In large cities, of about 100,000 or more. In such cities 
federation is most needed and at once has its greatest oppor- 
tunity. 


276 FEDEKAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


2. Membership.—All the members in all the churches in a 
local Federation should be members of the Federation itself. 
The idea is to bring the rank and file of our people to realize 
the essential oneness of the Christian Churches of America. 
Neither a ministerial union nor ‘‘a self-constituted body of 
earnest individuals’’ is a Church Federation. Either of these 
may form a good basis on which to perfect a federation, how- 
ever. 


3. From this large body, a governing body, to be composed 
of men, should be chosen. All the pastors and at least one 
layman from each congregation should make up this local 
federation council. From this council, the officers and com- 
mittees of the federation should be chosen, and the work of 
the federation should thus call into service the strong lay- 
men of the community. This plan at once gives a properly 
authorized and compact organization and promises perma- 
nence to the work of the local federation. 

4. There are certain committees that should be created in 
every Local Federation. 

(a) Evangelistic—to have charge of all union evangelistic 
services, out-door preaching, ete. 

(b) Parish—one of the most important. Its opportunities 
are set forth in a pamphlet issued from the New England 
office, entitled: ‘‘A Protestant Parish Plan.’? The work of 
such a committee is of very great value. 

(ec) Civie Righteousness or Civic Affairs—to keep in touch 
with all the moral issues of the community. 

(d) Investigation—to look into the merits of proposed in- 
terdenominational enterprises or such organizations as ask 
for the support of the churches of the community, for the pur- 
pose of either approving or disapproving. 

Local conditions may require other committees, but these 
are needed in every community. } 

5. Federation Center. There should be maintained an 
active center of federation work in our large cities. This will 
involve the expense of office room and a paid assistant, but it 
will render the work more effective, and make the city real- 


LOCAL FEDERATIONS. 277 


ize the fact of the federation of churches and also give a 
point of contact between the churches and the city at large. 
Tn one city the following plan has proved successful: 

Proceeding on the principle that the federation is composed 
largely of laymen, and taking advantage of the modern habit 
of down-town noon luncheons, the committees of one federa- 
tion have adopted the plan of meeting at the luncheon hour. 
Eyen the council, which meets once a month, has chosen this 
same hour, and the plan, after three years’ trial has proved 
to be a very successful one. The general mass meetings of 
the federation are, of course, held at another hour and. in some 
ehureh building. 

Helpful guidance in organizing local federations is already 
furnished by the constitutions under which in small cities and 
villages as well as larger cities the practical possibilities of 
federated action is now being illustrated. Several types of 
local federations are described in the report of the Committee 
on State Federation.* These methods, however, need to be 
modified to suit local conditions. 

The Committee submit the following resolutions: 

1. Resolved, That this Council of the Churches of Christ 
in America expresses its conviction that in view of conditions 
that exist, not only in our cities but in smaller towns and rural 
communities, the time has come when the churches of every 
community should join their forces in federated effort. 

2. Resolved, That while the methods will vary under which 
united work will be undertaken, the aim should be to make 
local federation a means through which, by systematic and co- 
operative effort, the evangelistic need and moral welfare of the 
community will be most effectively cared for, Christian senti- 
ment regarding moral issues united, and other appropriate 
ends secured. 

3. Resolved, That this Federal Council, in order to secure 
the ends for which it is pledged in its Constitution, should 
give not only encouragement in voicing the need of united 
effort, but plan for the support of work that will give aid in 
stimulating and helping the development and organization of 
local federation in every part of our country. 


Week-Day Instruction in Religion 
THE Rev. GrorceE U. WENNER, D. D.* 


At the meeting of the Inter-Church Conference on Federa- 
tion, in Carnegie Hall, New York, in November, 1905, the fol- 
lowing resolution was adopted by the Conference: 

‘“Resolved, That in view 
of the need of more sys- 
tematic education in re- 
ligion, we recommend for 
the favorable consideration 
of the public school author- 
ities of the country the pro- 
posal to allow the children 
to absent themselves with- 
out detriment from the 
publie schools on Wednes- 
day, or on some other af- 
ternoon of the school week, 
for the purpose of attend- 
ing religious instruction in 
their own churches; and 
we urge upon the churches 
the advisability of availing 
themselves of the opportu- 
nity so granted to give such instruction in addition to that 
given on Sunday. 


REV. GEORGE U. WENNER, D.D. 


“‘Resolved, That the further consideration of the sub- 
ject, and correspondence relative thereto, be referred to 
the Executive Committee.”’ 

By direction of the Executive Committee the subject is 


*Chairman of the Committee on Weekday Instruction in Religion; 
other members: G. Glenn Atkins, Robert F. Coyle, M. W. Leibert, A. 
J. McKelway, E. F. Merriam, Rufus W. Miller, Frank Mason North 
and George B. Winton. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 115. 


278 


WEEK-DAY INSTRUCTION. 279 


herewith presented to the first convention of the Federal Coun- 
cil of the Churches of Christ in America. 

Once upon a time a camel came to the door of a tailor’s 
shop and asked for leave to warm his nose. The tailor was 
kind and gave his consent. The genial warmth of the room 
was inviting, and head and neck soon followed the nose. But 
when at last the entire camel had come in, the tailor protested 
that there was not room enough for both. To this the camel 
assented and said: ‘‘But where do you expect to live?’’ 

Once upon a time the Christian Church established a 
school.* The object of the school was to acquaint the children 
with Christian truth, and to train them up in the Christian 
life. Little by little, the growth of the modern world com- 
pelled the introduction of other studies, until at last, in Euro- 
pean lands, but one hour a day was left for Religion.t In 
America even this hour had to be left out. We now have 
the distinction of being the only great nation; outside of 
Asia, that does not make provision for Religious Education. 
Vestiges, it is true, remain in the reading of a psalm and the 
recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. Yet even these are not al- 
ways conceded without controversy. 

We also have Christmas exercises. The proposed abolition 
last year of Christmas exercises from the schools of New 
York ealled forth indignant protests throughout the land. 
So strong was the feeling aroused by this attack upon Chris- 
tianity, that a compromise was adopted. By a liberal sub- 
stitution of Santa Claus for Christ, nobody’s convictions were 


*To say nothing of earlier history, the modern educational system, 
originating in the seventeenth century with Amos Comenius, Bishop of 
the Bohemian-Moravian Brethren, and for a hundred years developed 
along church lines through rrancke and Pestalozzi, its ideas utilized and 
popularized by various German teachers, as well as by Rousseau, was 
adopted by Frederick the Great for the Public School system of Prussia, 
and came to England and America as the church’s contribution to the 
intellectual wealth of the world. 


yin Germany the hours of instruction are 32 a week. Of these, in 
elementary schools, 6 are devoted to religion; in colleges from 2 to 3. 

In England a stable solution has not yet been reached. But religion 
remains as before, a constituent part of the curriculum. 

In France the final settlement has not yet been reached. But until 
recently, Thursdays were given to the churches for religious instruc- 
tion. 

In Sweden one-sixth of the time is given to religion. 


280 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


seriously hurt. The children had a good time as usual, and 
the Christian Religion, in the public school, once more was 
saved ! 


The chief reason why the absence of systematic instruction 
in Religion from the school life of American children has not 
been seriously felt is that the Sunday-school is supposed to be 
an adequate substitute. This institution, originally intended 
for the neglected children of an English factory town, has at- 
tained in this country a degree of efficiency and importance 
which cannot be overestimated. 

Nevertheless it is evident that the legitimate ends of reli- 
gious instruction are not attained by existing methods. The 
religious exercises of the public school are not instruction. 
The Sunday-school does not reach all the children, does not 
provide in a systematic way for the entire school life of the 
child, and does not claim, even under the most favorable con- 
ditions, to be a comprehensive educational system. Neither 
the religious exercises of the school nor the invaluable work 
of the Sunday-school meet the requirements of Religious Edu- 
cation. 


The Roman Catholic Church endeavors to solve the prob- 
lem by establishing Parochial schools. But even the Roman 
Catholic Church fails to get all its children. In New York 
City it has enrolled in the Parochial schools 112,000 children. 
But more than 40,000 of its children, at least twenty-eight per 
cent. of the whole number, are not in attendance upon the 
Parochial schools. 


Some Lutheran and Moravian churches also have Parochial 
schools. But the percentage of attendance is less even than 
that of the Roman Catholics. Experience proves- that such 
schools cannot as educational agencies compete with schools 
supported by the unlimited resources of the State. With all 
that may be said in favor of Parochial schools, there are sev- 
eral disadvantages. Their maintenance imposes upon the 
churches an additional burden which many of them are un- 
willing to bear. To the State there is a distinct loss when a 
considerable portion of its population is segregated from the 
rest in its school life and training. Our children become bet- 


WEEK-DAY INSTRUCTION. 281 


ter patriots when they attend the common school.* The Pa- 
rochial school has not solved the problem. 

The Jews, especially in New York City, where they now 
number one-fifth of the population, are deeply interested in 
the question of Religious Education. Exact figures we have 
not obtained, but hundreds of afternoon schools have been es- 
tablished to which the children go after school hours, for the 
purpose of learning Religion. 

Ethical instruction is a watchword that appeals to many 
minds. An agreement as to the basis of morality has, it is 
true, not yet been reached, but an attempt is to be made to 
provide a text book to which no creed could take exception. 
Doubtless much may be done in this direction. But ethics is 
not Religion. 

Finally, it is claimed that there is even a kind of Religious 
Education, common to all faiths, which the public school 
might be expected to give. We are, it is true, living in a 
very liberal age. We listen with toleration to the apostles of 
a universal Religion. Nevertheless, for some time to come. 
most of us will continue to be members of particular churches, 
adherents of a faith in which we desire that our children also 
shall be reared. We believe in federation, but we also believe 
in the denomination. 


Under the American system, Religious Education in the 
public school, such as the churches require, cannot be given. 
Nevertheless the right to religious instruction along denom- 
inational lines, cannot be gainsaid. It is a right and obliga- 
tion that rests primarily upon the parents, upon the family. In 
practice however it rests upon the church, to which in most 
eases the family has delegated this work. In other cases the 
church assumes the obligation in the fulfilment of her mis- 


*In an earnest plea for religious education, Cardinal Gibbons recently 
proposed that ‘‘the State appropriate funds, so much per capita, to 
support the parochial and other schools already built, equipped and oper- 
ated by Catholics, Protestants, Jews, or those of any other religious 
belief.?’ The publication of such a demand by the representative of 
the Roman Catholic Church is significant of a need which will continue 
to be felt, unless it can be met in some other way. 


7The use of the Bible in the public school rests upon other grounds, 
and the question is not considered here. 


282 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


sion. But in no ease does the church ask for the support and 
assistance of the State. 

All that the church asks, is that she shall not be hindered 
in the fulfilment of her obligations and practically prevented 
by the State from exercising her legitimate functions. The 
‘church is not an organization of yesterday. She has an in- 
dividualty which the State is bound to respect. And par- 
ticularly in the field of public education have her contribu- 
tions been such as to entitle her to consideration. She asks 
for no subyention, either of money or of privilege, but she 
does ask that the State shall not stand in her way, shall not 
hinder her from doing the work to which she is ealled in the 
maintenance of her own existence. Such is undoubtedly the 
case when the Public School’s course of study is so arranged 
as to give the children only a meagre opportunity of acquiring 
education in its highest relations, those of Religion and the 
Church of God. “3 

Nor can the State afford to dispense with the co-operation 
of the Church in the work of education. Even if the purpose 
of education were simply to acquire knowledge, or to fit the 
individual into the social system of which he is a part, Reli- 
gion would have a place along with other studies. But if 
Herbert Spencer is right when he says: “‘To prepare us for 
complete living is the function which education has to dis- 
charge,’’ or if in other words character rather than acquire- 
ment is the chief aim of education, the question of finding a 
suitable place for religious instruction is one of a paramount 
importance. 

In conformity with the instructions of the Inter-Chureh 


ie Conference, the Executive Committee, during the last three 


years, has endeavored to follow the widespread discussion of 
the question. In synods and ministerial conferences, as well — 
as before public school superintendents and teachers, and in 
the secular and religious press, the subject has received the 
attention which its importance demands. While many diffi- 
culties suggest themselves, none of them seem insuperable. 
Up to the present time no other solution of the question has 
been suggested which will compare with this in simplicity and 
effectiveness: ‘‘allow the children to absent themselves with- 


WEEK-DAY INSTRUCTION. 283 


out detriment from the public schools on Wednesday or on 
some other afternoon for the purpose of attending religious 
instruction in their own churches.”’ 

On the part of the school authorities two objections have 
been made. One is that the public school requires twenty-five 
hours each week properly to do its work, and that two hours 
cannot be spared. The other is that it would have a demoral- 
izing effect upon the school if a considerable number of the 
scholars were absent on Wednesday afternoon. 

There is force in these objections. But in view of the im- 
perative need of making provision for Religious Education, 
eannot the public school readjust its curriculum? Or must 
we confess that in our educational system there is no 
room for Religion. If therefore our proposal is impracticable, 
why not accept the following alternative: Close the schools 
altogether for the two hours of one afternoon, so that the 
children may attend religious instruction in their own 
churches,* and make up for the lost time by adding a half hour 
to the sessions of the other four days. 

This meets the two chief objections which have been sug- 
gested by the authorities of the public school. It has its dif- 
ficulties of course, but it does offer a practical solution of the 
problem. 

Again, it is suggested that the ends of Religious Education 
may be secured by the churches if they will take the later 
hours of the afternoon. Many do so now. But the children 
are tired after their day’s work at school, and they have not 
the freshness, the resiliency of mind which is needed for ef- 
fective results in teaching. Nor does such an arrangement 
allow for the home work which is required for the lessons of 
the church as well as for those of the school. For her tasks 
the church is entitled to hours and facilities every whit as 
good as those which are demanded by the publie school. 


*This is an allowance of less than 8 per cent. of the time to religious 
instruction. In Europe the allowance is from 16 to 20 per cent. 


yAs for the suggestion that there are two other days which the 
ehurches are at liberty to use for the purpose of Religious Education, 
namely Saturday and Sunday, it is enough to say that these are days 
for recreation and worship, and are not suited for the imposition of 
tasks upon the children who have done their week’s work in school. 


284 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


But where shall we get the teachers for these classes in re- 
ligion? For a while this will prove a difficulty to be overcome. 
But a ministry to which the Master has given his command: 
‘*Feed my lambs,’’ an institution which in all ages has led the 
van in the work of popular education, will not permanently 
confess itself unequal to this emergency. 

There are unused talents in every church, that can be draft- 
ed into this service. Or if the schools are closed on Wednes- 
day afternoon, we may obtain helpers from the ranks of the 
public school teachers. In such a week-day school but one 
teacher will be needed for every twenty or thirty scholars. 

While the plan primarily expects the children to come to 
. their own churches with special reference to the upbuilding 
and strengthening of the local congregation, it is likely that 
in the larger towns a number of churches may unite in the 
establishment of a common school and thus bring about better 
results. 

As for the course of study, that is a matter for each church 
to arrange. The denominational organs will aid in this direc- 
tion, as they now do in Sunday-school work. Doubtless the 
foundation will be the Bible Story. To this will be added 
History, Geography and Antiquities as related to Bible 
Study. There will follow the study of Christian Doctrines, 
Christian Ethies, Church Song, Church History, Church Cus- 
toms. An important feature may be the report of the sermon 
of the preceding Sunday, required from all children over nine 
or ten years of age. 

The course of study will be so related to the work of the 
Sunday-school that the two will supplement each other. 
Churches that now have catechetical classes will be able to do 
much of their preparatory work in this week-day school. The 
Parochial school need not lock upon this system as a rival, 
but rather as a helper in its aims. Nor will there be a col- 
lision between the public school and the church with respect 
to the hours or the tasks of the children. Each in its own 
sphere will recognize the work of the other. More than ever 
before will Religion become a part of the daily life of the 
child instead of being relegated to an inconspicuous corner of 
Sunday. 


a ~~ 


WEEK-DAY INSTRUCTION. 285 


Attendance at first will be to some extent optional. By-and- 


by it will become the vogue. But it will not be long before 


it will become a moral obligation to attend. That is, no child 
will be considered in good and regular standing who is not a 
member of this school, and no family will be considered in 
good and regular standing with its particular church that 
does not send its children to the week-day school in Reli- 
gion. As for the outsiders, it would be a poor school that 
could not be made so attractive as not to enroll among its 
pupils every available child of school age. 

The chief difficulty, we reluctantly confess, lies with our- 
selves. The apathy of the general public, satisfied with exist- 
ing conditions, the indolence even of churches, in the face of 
tasks requiring prolonged effort, will prove great obstacles. 
A ministry, already overburdened with the burdens of an of- 


- fice which demands much and pays little, and not in all cases 


familiar with the art of pedagogical and catechetical admin- 
istration, will hesitate to demand from the State a right which 
involves new and onerous duties and which imposes such a 
heavy responsibility. 

No wonder that leading school authorities have declared: 
“‘When the churches are ready to ask for such a privilege, we 
shall be ready to grant it.’’ 

On the other hand, let us look at some of the advantages: 

It will accustom the church to recognize her own responsi- 
bility in the development of religious life and knowledge 
among her most important members, the children, and thus to 
resume her legitimate function instead of delegating it to 
agencies not always capable or responsible. 

It emphasizes the truth that Religion is for every day, and 
not merely for Sunday. 

It brings the church into closer relation with the family, 
inasmuch as such a method of instruction, to. reach its best 
results, involves the co-operation of the parents in the work of 
education. 

It brings the pastor into personal contact with the children 
of his flock. He is preparing them for a personal participa- 
tion in the life and service of the church in a way that must 
secure the best and most enduring results. 


286 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


We are longing for a deeper sense of God, and a revival of 
spiritual energy in the church. What better method can be 
found than the implanting of the Divine word in the suscep- 
tible hearts of Christ‘s and the Church’s little ones, and such 
a readjustment of our school plans as will make this method 
possible and effective. 

The Committee proposes the following recommendations : 

First, That there can be no true education without religion ; 
to provide adequate religious instruction for their children is 
the duty of the churches, a primal and imperative duty. 

Second, That the hour at Sunday-school, the religious ex- 
ercises of the Public School and the ethical instruction of the 
Public School do not meet the requirements of ‘‘adequate re- 
ligious instruction.”’ 

Third, That to provide religious instruction for their chil- 
dren is not only the duty of the churches, it is their inherited 
and inherent right, and this right should not be ignored or 
curtailed by the State in its arrangement of the course of 
school studies. 

Fourth, That whenever and wherever public sentiment war- 
rants such a course, the public schools should be closed on 
Wednesday, or some other afternoon, for the purpose of allow- 
ing the children to attend religious instruction in their own 
churches. An allotment of 8 per cent. of school time for reli- 
gion is not an immoderate allowance. 

Fifth, That this Federal Council appeals to the churches of 
America, to all ecclesiastical bodies, to the religious and sec- 
ular press, to the educational boards of the Church and the 
State, to all fathers and mothers, to all who desire that the 
children of this land may be brought up in the fear of God © 
and the love of His truth to support this claim until it becomes 
an integral part of our educational system. 

The following resolutions were adopted: 

1. That there can be no true and complete education with- 
out religion; to provide adequate religious instruction for 
their children is the duty of the churches, a primal and im- 
perative duty. 

2. That the hour at Sunday-school, the religious exercises 
of the public school and the ethical instruction of the public 


WEEK-DAY INSTRUCTION. 287 


school through the personal influence of the great body of re- 
ligious public school teachers do not meet ae requirements 
of ‘‘adequate religious instruction.’ 

3. That to provide religious instrnetion for their children 
is not only the duty of the churches. it is their inherited and 
inherent right. But it is the duty of parents to give instruc- 
tion to their children, and this right should be fully recog- 
nized by the state in its arrangement of the course of school 
studies, which right also calls for more time during the week- 
day to be given to religious instruction in the homes and 
churches of our land. 

4. That we note with decided approval the measures which 
have been adopted in various sections by which provision is 
being made by school authorities to enlarge the opportunity 
of parents and the churches to give systematic week-day reli- 
gious instruction to children. 

5. That this Federal Council appeals to the churches of 
America, to all ecclesiastical bodies, to the religious and sec- 
ular press, to the educational boards of the Church and the 
State, to private individual institutions, to all fathers and 
mothers, to all who desire that the children of this land may 
be brought up in the fear of God, and the love of His truth, 
to exercise their right and responsibility as citizens in promot- 
ing the religious instruction of the young. 

6. We hereby invite the National Education Association 
and the Religious Education Association to appoint commit- 
tees to confer with the committee of this body to be appointed 
by its Executive Committee, made up of at least one member 
from each of the constituent bodies of this Council for the 
full consideration of ways and means to promote week-day 
religious instruction ; the committee of this Council to report 
_ to the Executive Committee, and at the next meeting of the 
Federal Council. 


Religion in Higher Institutions 


Tue Rey. D. S. StepHens, D.D., LL.D.* 


The separation of Church and State has thrust new prob- 
lems upon the civilized world. The passage from theocratic 
form of government to self government has exposed the sta- 
bility of society to new 
dangers. Under the old 
forms of government 
the structure of society 
was made stable by the 
combined authority of 
State and Church. The 
Church formulated 
standards for individ- 
ual belief and conduct, 
and the State enforced 
them. 

But with the growing 
trend toward democra- 
ey the situation has 
changed. The state has 
surrendered to the indi- 
vidual conscience the 
control of personal con- 

THE REY. D. S. STEPHENS, D.D., LL.D. viction and a large con- 
trol of individual con- 

duct. The State has intrusted the security and safety of so- 
ciety to the moral convictions of the individual. This fact 
necessitates an increased concern on the part of the State 
for individual morality. Self-preservation compels the State 
to seek an educational system that will train its coming cit- 


*Chairman of Committee on Religious Instruction in Higher Insti- 
tutions; other members: C. F. Aked, W. F. Anderson, R. G. Boville, 
J. W. E. Bowen, H. A. Buttz, Oliver Huckel, H. T. Kealing, R. L. 
Kelly, C. W. Kent, H. J. Kiekoefer, W. F. King, J. P. Landis, A. E. 
Main, J. D. Moffat, W. B. Murrah, J. S. Stone and H. L. Willett. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 124. 
288 


RELIGION IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS. 289 


izens to use their larger liberty in the direction of the State’s 
welfare. 

This situation has developed an increased interest in moral 
education throughout the civilized world. Gigantic experi- 
ments have been undertaken. Notably in France, England, 
Japan and the United States great attention has been given 
to this subject. Methods of moral training have been sought 
that build up such citizenship as would give stability to the 
State. But moral training to be effective must have a sanc- 
tion that inspires individual reverence and loyalty. The State 
cannot consistently use the religious sanction to enforce her 
standards, for she has committed religious interests to the in- 
dividual conscience. She has, therefore, appealed to other 
sanctions to enforce her moral teachings. Morals have been 
secularized. The State has sought to find the sanctions of 
morality in reason; in the solidarity of society; in utilitarian- 
ism; in the dignity of man. 

These attempts to establish morals upon other than a reli- 
gious basis have not met with much success. Morality di- 
vorced from the sanction of religion loses much of its power 
over the individual life. A great experiment in moral educa- 
tion without the sanctions of religion has been tried in France. 
In 1882 a statute was enacted that began a system of moral in- 
struction disconnected with the religious sanction. An elab- 
orate system of moral education has been established on a sec- 
ular basis. The testimony of the most competent judges, 
however, is to the effect that this system of moral instruction 
falls short of its aim. M. Fouillee, an eminent authority, says, 
“In fifty years criminality in France increased three-fold, 
although there was scarcely any increase in population.’’ 
Again he says, ‘‘The general defect of our system of educa- 
tion has been the predominance of intellectualistic and ra- 
tionalistic conception, inherited from the eighteenth century, 
which attributes to knowledge, and scientific knowledge in 
particular, an exaggerated importance as regards moral con- 
duct.’’ 

A distinguished writer in the ‘‘Revue Universitaire’’ for 
May 15, 1907, in summing up the results of an inquiry made 
into the efficiency of the French system of moral instruction 


290 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


says that most of the professors admit that they have not ob- 
served any appreciable progress in the character of their 
pupils as the result of this instruction. One professor in giv- 
ing his testimony remarked, ‘‘My prize man in morals is the 
biggest knave of the lot.’’ ; 

Mr. Harold Johnson, Secretary of the ‘‘Moral Instruction 
League’’ in England, closed an elaborate review of the French 
system in these words: ‘‘We touch here what is the main 
defect of the French moral instruction; it has no vista, no 
escape into the ideal and infinite. It does not open up the 
large horizons which alone make possible profound trans- 
formations of character. The more solemn chords of the 
human soul are not struck.”’ 

These testimonies show at what point the French System 
fails to meet the aim in view. It does not secure the morality 
the state seeks for, because it neglects the essential condition 
for inspiring the moral life. Morality not only requires in- 
telligence but devotion that can be aroused only in the warmth 
of the religious life. The two tap-roots that give nourishment 
to morality are intelligence and right disposition—the re- 
flective and the active powers of the soul respectively. An 
enlightened intellect that comprehends what makes for the 
common good, and a well-disposed will that freely devotes it- 
self to the realization of the discerned good, are equally essen- 
tial. Intelligence must be ripened into sustained moral pur- 
pose before the State shall receive benefit from the fruitage 
of morality. Intelligence without right disposition may de- 
velop into shrewd malevolence. A well-disposed will without 
intelligence may produce amiable stupidity. But of the two 
the interests of the State are more concerned with a well dis- 
posed will. Society is more vitally concerned with what a 
man does than with what he knows. It is the disposition of 
the will that gives final character to conduct. Mere intellee- 
tual development only furnishes tools for selfish purpose 
where the heart is not wedded to moral ideals. Where the 
will is evilly disposed it is better that its power should he 
curtailed by ignorance. 

Intellectual training alone fails to make good citizens be- 
cause it is powerless to overcome selfishness. Selfishness is 


RELIGION IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS. 291 


not a rational but a passionate principle. It can be expelled 
from the heart only by a passion that is stronger than itself. 
Intellectual culture alone can never break the fetters of the 
passion for self. If selfishness is to be supplanted by altruism 
it must be done through the ‘‘expulsive power of a new af- 
feetion’’ that has its vantage ground in a personality beyond 
self. How can it be expected that an individual with a pow- 
erful intellect and depraved passions would hesitate to use the 
power of that intellect to minister to his debased propensities? 
Disposition—the moving power of the soul—has to do not 
only with formulated knowledge but with the undefined ele- 
ments of life and personality that give moral character to con- 
duct. Passion finds its foothold in the infinite. The passion 
' that subdues selfishness must be anchored in a personality be- 
yond and above self. Morality is an arch, one end of which 
rests upon knowledge, and the other upon the infinite. 

The fires that start the machinery of morality must be 
kindled in the soul by contact with divine life. It is this that 
makes education essentially a religious work. This work of 
inspiration must go along with the work of instruction. It 
is a law of man’s nature that the intellect can work only on 
that which has first been taken into the life of the spirit. But 
religious zeal reaches out and lays hold of those elements of 
life foreign to man’s natural disposition, and assimilates them 
through the power of faith and love. The moral character 
which the State seeks does not proceed from unchanged nat- 
ural dispositions, even when served by trained intellects. It 
is attained only when natural dispositions are purified and 
improved by the addition of spiritual qualities not possessed 
before. -and the elimination of other spiritual qualities which, 
unaided, the soul could not eject. It is attained only when the 
spirit is brought into communion with a source of personal 
life superior to itself—a source of life inaccessible to the in- 
tellect, but within reach of the fingers of faith and love. The 
solid footing of known truth is the ark of safety for the intel- 
lect, but holy passion, as a dove, cleaves the air of the un- 
known seas beyond, and comes back bearing the olive leaf 
that tells of infinite life and love. ‘‘The heart has reasons,’’ 
says Pascal, ‘‘that the reason does not know.’’ It is not 


292 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


through the intellect, but through the passion of love, that 
the soul opens the fountains of life. John Fiske, in one of his 
saner moments, discerned this truth. In his ‘‘Cosmie Phil- 
osophy’’ he says: ‘‘The proper attitude of the mind when 
face to face with the unknown reality is not a speculative but 
an emotional attitude.”’ 

The greatest minds in all ages have caught visions of this 
truth. Even those who would measure all realities affecting 
human life by the standards of the intellect cannot close their 
ears entirely to the voice of the heart. The gifted genius of 
Professor Clifford, while staggering under the conditions im- 
posed by the dominant intellectualism of the age, was ob- 
liged to exclaim at the close of his inquiry into the moral na- 
ture of man: ‘‘Far be it from me to undervalue the help and 
strength which many of the bravest of our brethren have 
drawn from the thought of an unseen helper of men. He who 
wearied and stricken in the fight with the powers of darkness, 


asks himself in a solitary place, ‘Is it all for nothing? Shall 


we indeed be overthrown?’ he does find something which may 
justify the thought. In such a moment of utter sincerity, 
when a man bared his own soul before the immensities and 
eternities, a presence in which his own personality is shriv- 
eled into nothingness arises within him and says as plainly as 
words can say: ‘I am with thee, and I am greater than 
thous 74 

The life of the spirit is fed from above. The work of edu- 
eation must be conceived in the light of this truth. The 
altruistic conduct upon which the life of the State depends 
requires it. Positivism robs our educational system of the 
inspiration that gives fibre to morality. The religious sane- 
tion alone furnishes the inspirational motive that makes for 
good citizenship. 

The problem then is how to combine the inspirational ele- 
ment with the didactic in our methods of education. This 
problem will largely have to be solved by our institutions of 
higher learning. They are the sources from which flow the 
formative influences that touch the higher life of our coun- 
try. From their walls come the trained leaders who mould 
and direct the moral forces of the land. 


RELIGION IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS. 293 


Institutions of higher learning throughout our own and 
other countries are beginning to grasp the importance of the 
work which naturally falls to them in this connection. While 
much remains yet to be done, nevertheless much has already 
been done to establish morality upon a sound religious basis. 
It is true that universities under State control are sadly hand- 
ieapped for this work, yet many of them are courageously 
dealing with the problem. The colleges and universities are 
greatly aided in this work by the Religious Education Asso- 
ciation in the United States; and by the Moral Instruction 
League in England. 

Among the agencies in our higher institutions that con- 
tribute to the inspirational element in moral training none is 
more important than the personality of the teachers. The 
religious inspiration is best transmitted from one living soul 
to another living soul. . A teacher whose life is uplifted and 
inspired by the energies drawn from the infinite will kindle 
a like inspiration in the soul of the pupil. 

A second important agency of moral inspiration is the study 
of the Bible. The Bible essentially is the text-book of the 
heart. Nearly all institutions of higher learning in this coun- 
try maintain courses of study in the English Bible in addition 
to the usual courses of ethics and philosophy. While these 
courses are usually elective, yet they have proved to be very 
popular. 

Among the most efficient agencies for the awakening and de- 
velopment of religious motive are the Young Men’s Christian 
Associations and similar organizations among the young 
women of our schools of higher learning. In the colleges of 
this country there are five hundred and forty-five such asso- 
ciations, with 26,173 members, or 28.8 per cent. of the total 
enrollment of students. In addition to holding regular devo- 
tional meetings, these associations make themselves helpful to 
student life in various ways. That these organizations exert 
a profound influence on the lives of students for good is a 
fact that is as obvious as it is generally acknowledged. There 
are other organizations for religious work and training among 
students in many of the colleges that contribute to the reli- 
gious tone of student life. 


294 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Still another ageney through which student life is brought 
into touch with religious influence in colleges and State uni- 
versities not under the control of religious bodies is to be 
found in the establishment, by denominations, of dormitories 
and local pastorates among the students in these institutions. 
These establishments aim to give religious instruction and pas- 
toral supervision to the students in these institutions who are 
affiiated with the denomination supporting the enterprise. 
In the University of Michigan seven denominations have un- 
dertaken to do work of this kind. 

An interesting experiment has been undertaken at the 
State University of North Dakota. What is termed an affil- 
iated college under denominational control has been establish- 
ed to carry on such work in the study of the Bible, in Chureh 
history, and the special history of the denomination conecern- 
ed, and such other subjects as current opinion now prevents 
the State University from offering. Mutual relat:ons between 
the affiliated college and the university are established by 
which each recognizes the work of the other, so that students 
can pursue work in both of these institutions at the same time, 
receiving credit in each institution for work done in the other. 
In Canada, at the University of Toronto, and at several other 
institutions, a similar plan has been tried successfully. 

There are many minor agencies in addition to those men- 
tioned that contribute to the religious life of our higher in- 
stitutions. Nevertheless, we may say that there is a great 
necessity for increasing the degree of attention to religious 
training in our higher institutions. Something like the same 
continuous and progressive movement that now characterizes 
the methods of intellectual development should be applied to 
those means that are made use of to secure the deepening of 
the religious life. The vital relation of religious conviction 
to the moral life, and the essential dependence of the stabil- 
ity of a democratic form of society upon the moral system of 
the people who compose it, give to this subject an importance 
that cannot, well be exaggerated. 

Your Committee submits the following resolutions: 

1. That the Federal Council recommends that the governing 
bodies of the several denominations represented in this Coun- 


ee 


RELIGION IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS. 295 


cil establish permanent bureaus or boards whose duty it shall 
be to co-operate with one another and with institutions of 
higher learning in an organized effort to improve, to systema- 
tize, and to maintain religious instruction and training in the 
educational agencies of our country. 

2. That the Federal Council recognizes the valuable work 
done in this field by the Religious Education Association in 
this country, and similar organizations in other lands, and 
recommends sympathy and co-operation with the work of these 
organizations on the part of the denominations here repre- 
sented. 

3. That the work of Young Men’s and Young Women’s 
Christian Associations and other organizations among students 
for developing a Christian atmosphere in our higher institu- 
tions of learning be commended and that encouragement and 
support of these organizations be extended by the various de- 
nominations as far as practicable. 

4. That in view of the delicate and difficult conditions that 
surround the work of religious training in State universities 
and undenominational institutions, this Federal Council ex- 
presses its approval of the establishment of local pastorates 
and halls in such institutions by the various denominations 
from whom these institutions receive patronage, the special 
work of which pastorates shall be to provide religious instruc- 
tion and inspiration to the students coming from their respec- 
tive churches, and such other students as may choose to place 
themselves under their care. 

5. That we heartily commend the movement to employ 
earnest college men and women in daily vacation Bible schools 
for neglected city children, such as are conducted in leading 
cities under auspices of church federations, city mission so- 
cieties, and individual churches, largely with the co-operation 
of the National Vacation Bible School Committee. We recom- 
mend that our institutions of learning, and especially theolog- 
ical seminaries establish social service scholarships for the 
specific purpose of enabling their students to engage in this 
ministry. 


International Relations 
Henry Wave Rogers, LL.D.* 


Christianity and Civilization seem to live and flourish only 
together. That which advances the one promotes the other. 
It is the mission of the Church to extend the Kingdom of God 
upon the earth, and to 
maintain the righteous- 
ness that exalteth a na- 
tion. The morality that 
ought to govern the con- 
duct of nations is not 
different from the mor- 
ality that ought to gov- 
ern the conduct of indi- 
viduals. That there are 
two codes of morality, 
one for publie and the 
other for private life, 
one for nations and. an- 
other for individuals, is 
a sentiment so utterly 
false and contrary to 
Christianity, that it 
must always receive the 
indignant denial of the 
Churches. ‘‘The science 
of politics.is but a particular application of that of morals.”’ 
Christian morality can be and must be applied to polities. 


HENRY WADE ROGERS, LL.D. 


International law had its origin in Christian States. It 
is only within a comparatively few years that the system has 


*Chairman of the Committee on International Relations; other mem- 
bers: Stephen Babcock, Minor Lee Bates, Earl Cranston, Samuel A. 
Crozier, Peter S. Grosscup, J. P. Dolliver, George F. Mosher, Sylvester 
Newlin, G. W. Pepper, H. K. Porter, W. C. P. Rhoades, Wm. North 
Rice, John E. Roller, Robert N. Willson and A. W. Wilson. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 139. 
296 


eS 


INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. 297 


been extended to non-Christian States by the recognition of 
Turkey, Japan and China as members of the family of na- 
tions. Fifty years have not elapsed since a distinguished 
scholar and a recognized authority defined International Law 
as ‘‘The aggregate of the rules which Christian States ac- 
Imowledge as obligatory in their relations to each other, and 
to each other’s subjects.’’ Not only did international law 
originate with Christian States but its subsequent develop- 
ment and elaboration appear to have been largely the result 
of the influence of the Christian religion upon human con- 
duct. To that influence is to be attributed in large degree 
the higher eivilization existing in Christian States. The 
same causes which operated to give to those States a superior 
civilization likewise enabled Christian peoples to establish 
the system of international law. The high moral standard, 
the justice and the humanity, which underlie that system had 
their source in the religion of Jesus Christ. 

In recent years a most hopeful and inspiring movement has 
been under way in many different parts of the world. If 
successful, as no doubt in the end it will be, International 
Law will be administered by an International Court and na- 
tions, no more than individuals, will be permitted to settle 
their disputes by force. When that day comes International 
Law will be more in harmony than it now is with the spirit 
and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom were all 
the things in heaven and earth created, thrones, dominions, 
principalities and powers. 

The British Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, speaking in Lon- 
don on July 31, 1908, at a banquet given by the Government of 
Great Britain to the-delegates to the Seventeenth Universal 
Peace Congress proclaimed that the greatest of all reforms 
was the establishment of peace on earth. And emphasizing 
the importance of the movement for Peace he said of the 
Churches: ‘‘Is there anywhere in the whole sphere of their 
activity a better or a more fruitful opportunity than here to 
induce them to think less of the differences which divide them 
and more of the simple text of the Gospel message, of which 
they are the bearers?”’ 

The time has certainly come when the Christian Churches 


298 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


throughout the length and breadth of Christendom should 
pronounce anathema upon the heresy of war. 

Charles Sumner speaking on the true grandeur of nations 
sixty years ago said: ‘‘There is a topic which I approach with 
diffidence, but in the spirit of frankness. It is the influence 
which war, though condemned by Christ, has derived from the 
Christian Church. * * * It will not be doubted that this 
strange and unblessed conjunction of the Church with war has 
no little influence in blinding the world to the truth, too 
slowly recognized, that the whole custom of war is contrary to 
Christianity.’’ Some thirty years ago Bishop Ewing, a dis- 
tinguished prelate of the Scotch Episcopal Church, said: 
‘“Why has the earth so long run, and still runs, with blood? 
Why are nations still in arms, but because the Church’s mis- 
sion has failed? She has not set up the true Kingdom, the 
one Kingdom, the Kingdom of the Father and the Son, in the 
true spirit—that there is but one Father, and that all men 
are sons and brethren.”’ Forty years ago Hugh Price 
Hughes, of London, spoke of ‘‘the awful custom which has 
so long excluded this subject (of war) from the Christian 
pulpit.’’ And he went on to say: ‘‘There is no question on 
which the Churches of Christ have departed more completely 
from the teaching of Christ. This is the darkest and most 
scandalous page in the lamentable history of ecclesiastical 
Christianity. At this moment France and Germany are madly 
and wickedly arming for the most terrible and useless war 
of the century, and all the Churches are dumb! The min- 
isters of Christ are standing with folded arms calmly look- 
ing on, as the callous crowd looks on when two infuriated 
fools are stripping for a fight in a back street. Will no one 
protest against this unparalleled wickedness? Mr. Frederick 
Harrison is quite right in holding the Christian Churches re- 
sponsible for European wars.’’ 

It cannot be claimed that in the United States the Churches 
have been altogether free from criticism of a like nature. -The 
War with Spain was not necessary, for Spain was ready to 
arbitrate the matters of which the United States complained. 
The war was precipitated by a Jingo and sensational press 
as truly as the Crimean war was brought upon England by 


aa 


INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. 299 


_ “the London Times.’’ If in every city and town and hamlet 


in our land the voice of the Church had been heard protesting 
against war and demanding arbitration the action of this 
Government might have been very different from what it 
was. 

Let not the Churches be unmindful of the glorious proph- 
ecy of Isaiah: ‘‘And He shall judge between the nations, and 
shall decide concerning many peoples: and they shall beat 
their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning- 
hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither 
shall they learn war any more.’’ 

For four centuries after Christ the profession of arms was 
thought inconsistent with the profession of Christianity. Jus- 
tin Martyr thought the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled: 
*“That the prophecy is fulfilled,’’ so he wrote, ‘‘we have good 
reason to believe, for we (Christians), who in the past killed 
one another, do not now fight our enemies.’’ Clement of 
Alexandria wrote: ‘‘The followers of Christ use none of the 
implements of war.’’ Tertullian wrote: “‘The military oath 
and the baptismal vow are inconsistent with each other, the 
one being the sign of Christ, the other of the Devil.’* Origen 
wrote: ‘‘For no longer do we (Christians) take arms against 
any race, or learn to wage war, inasmuch as we have been 
made sons of peace through Jesus, Whom we follow as our 
leader.’’ St. Augustine wrote: ‘‘ Not to keep peace is to spurn 
Christ.”’ 

It is not necessary for the present purposes to inquire 
whether war is contrary to the New Testament. That ques- 
tion was discussed by Hugo Grotius, the founder of Interna- 
tional Law, in his great work on War and Peace. We may 
agree or disagree with him in thinking that war is not under 
some circumstances contrary to the Gospels. Whatever dif- 
ferences of opinion we may hold on that subject we cannot 
disagree in thinking that war is a tremendous evil. ‘‘War,”’ 
said Dr. Chalmers, ‘‘is the concentration of all human crime; 
under its standard gather violence, malignity, rage, fraud, 
perfidy, lust, and rapacity.”’ 

If nations are to abolish war then some substitute for war 
must be found by which states can settle those international 


300 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


differences which cannot be adjusted through the channels of 
diplomacy. There is but one substitute for war and that is the 
doctrine of arbitration. Emeric Cruce, who was born in 
Paris about 1590, is said to have been the originator of the 
world-wide arbitration idea. At the First Hague Conference 
it was originally proposed by Russia to make arbitration ob- 
ligatory in certain specified classes of cases. That idea did 
not commend itself to the Conference, which was not pre- 
pared to do more than approve the principle of voluntary ar- 
bitration. It adopted however the following article: 

‘In questions of a judicial character, and especially in 
questions regarding the interpretation or application of 
international treaties or conventions, arbitration is rec- 
ognized by the Signatory Powers as the most efficacious 
and at the same time the most equitable method of decid- 
ing controversies which have not been settled by diplo- 
matic methods.”’ 

At the Second Hague Conference it was very earnestly de- 
sired by many nations that a general obligatory arbitration 
agreement might be made. The delegates from the United 
States were instructed to urge such an agreement and the sub- 
ject was debated almost from the beginning to the close of the 
Conference, which was in session from June to October, 1907. 
The proposition gained strength as the debate progressed, and 
thirty-five nations out of forty-four represented declared 
themselves ready to favor a general treaty of obligatory ar- 
bitration. Germany led the opposition to the principle and 
carried with it Austria, Turkey, Roumania, Greece, Bulgaria, 
Belgium, Luxemburg, and Switzerland. With the exception 
of Germany and Austria the really great powers of the world 
were on the side of obligatory arbitration. The vote showed 
that the nations had made great strides since the adjournment 
of the first Hague Conference in 1899. As it was agreed that 
nothing should be included in the Acte Final which was not 
approved by all the Powers the principle of a general treaty of 
obligatory arbitration: had to be excluded therefrom. But 
the Conference recognized the principle by adopting the fol- 
lowing: 

“Tt (the Conference) is unanimous: 


INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. 301 


**1. In accepting the principle of obligatory arbitra- 
tion ; 

**2. In declaring that certain differences and notably 
those relating to the interpretation and application of 
international conventional stipulations are susceptible of 
being submitted to obligatory arbitration without any re- 
striction.’’ 

Thus a very distinct advance was made over the action of 
the first Hague Conference. Moreover forty-seven treaties of 
obligatory arbitration had been entered into between the 
nations, two and two, between the close of the first Hague 
Conference and the opening of the Second Hague Conference. 
Two further treaties were added to this number while the 
Second Conference was in session. g 

The Government of the United States has taken the matter 
up, and the Senate, during the last session of Congress, ap- 
proved no less than twelve arbitration treaties. These treaties 
are with the following nations: Great Britain, France, Spain, 
Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Portugal, 
Denmark, Mexico, and Japan. They are concluded for a per- 
iod of five years, and they designate the Permanent Court at 
the Hague as the tribunal of arbitration. It is not provided in 
these treaties that any and all controversies which may arise 
between the contracting parties shall be submitted to arbitra- 
tion. Their scope is restricted to controversies of a legal na- 

ture or differences relating to the interpretation of treaties. 
Differences of a purely political nature are excluded. While 
these treaties are not as comprehensive as might be desired the 
fact that they have been entered into, even within somewhat 
narrow limits, certainly affords great satisfaction and war- 
rants the remark of the Secretary of State that their negotia- 
tion is evidence of ‘‘continual progress toward making the 
practice of civilized nations conform to their peaceful pro- 
fessions.’’ It is the understanding that our government is 
negotiating like treaties with other powers. The acceptance 
by the Second Hague Conference of the principle of obligatory 
arbitration, the action of the delegates from the United States 
in pressing upon the Conference the proposition for a general 
obligatory arbitration agreement binding on all States, and the 


302 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


recent: action of the Government of this country in negotia- 
ting the treaties mentioned afford evidence of the strength of 
the arbitration movement. The movement has not only the 
sympathy and support of the churches but it commands the 
sympathy and support of almost all the people of this Nation. 
The time is certainly approaching when arbitration will be- 
come the practically universal method of settling international 
disputes that cannot be arranged by diplomacy. Surely “‘the 
thoughts of men are widening with the process of the suns.’’ 
With the object of facilitating an immediate recourse to 
arbitration the First Hague Conference provided for a Perma- 
nent Court of Arbitration established in The Hague. Hach 
of the signatory powers has the right to name four judges 
who shall become members of the Court. From the total num- 
ber of the judges the panel for the hearing of any particular — 
case is selected. Each party to a controversy may select two — 
of the judges from the whole panel of judges and those thus 
selected choose another who in effect serves as chief justice 
for the particular case which is to be submitted. The full’ 
panel of judges numbers sixty-eight. No judge who is a na- 
tive or citizen of any State which is a party to the pending 
controversy can be selected as a judge in the particular case. 
There is no limitation to the character of the controversies 
which may be submitted to the Court. The enforcement of the 
award is left to the good faith of the parties. The submission 
of the case to the Court ‘‘implies,’’ according to Article XX XI 
of the Convention creating the Court, ‘‘an agreement by each 
party to submit in good faith to the award.’’ The liberality 
of Andrew Carnegie, who gave $1,500,000 for the purpose, 
has provided that the Court shall have a suitable building of 
its own. 


No international sheriff and no international force other 
than that of public opinion is necessary to enforce the decrees 
of such a court. During the Nineteenth Century there were 
many international arbitrations and there was but one in- 
stance in which any difficulty occurred over a compliance with 
the award. And that was a case in which the arbitrator had 
exceeded the terms of the submission. 


“a 


INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. 303 


The Second Hague Conference laid the foundations for a 
Court of Arbitral Justice. The ‘‘Acte Final’’ reads: 

“<The Conference recommends to the signatory Powers 
the adoption of the project hereunto annexed of a con- 
vention for the establishment of a Court of arbitral jus- 
tice, and its putting into effect as soon as an agreement 
shall be reached upon the choice of the judges and the 
constitution of the court.’’ 


It also reads: 
“*<TIn order to advance the cause of arbitration, the con- 
tracting Powers agree to organize, without interfering 
with the Permanent Court of Arbitration, a Court of ar- 
bitral justice, free and easy of access, composed of judges 
representing the different judicial systems of the world, 
and capable of assuring the continuity of arbitral juris- 

prudence.’’ 


At the First Conference the idea that such a Court could be 
created was abandoned as impracticable. At the Second 
Conference the question, it has been said by Mr. Choate, who 
was a delegate from the United States, interested all the na- 
tious alike, and it was agreed that there ought to be such a 
Court. The plan suggested proposed a court which is to be 
a court in the judicial sense of the word, with at least one 
annual session. Its judicial committee is to be permanently 
in session for the trial of small cases. If the case is one of 
importance the whole court may be convoked in extraordinary 
session. And the full court is to be convoked upon the request 
of any litigant nation which has a case ready for decision. 

Besides voting that such a court ought to be established the 
Conference: agreed on articles which fixed its powers, pro- 
cedure, organization, and its sessions and the rules of law 
that should be applied in it. As no agreement was reached 
as to the number of judges and the mode of their selection 
those matters were referred to the nations. And it was agreed 
that as soon as those matters were determined the court should 
be established. The Secretary of State, Mr. Root, is said to 
entertain great confidence that it will be found practicable to 
reach an agreement by diplomatic methods, on the points thus 


304 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


left open and so establish the Court before the third Hague 
Conference is assembled in 1914. 

Progress is thus being steadily made and the great effort 
of the nations to substitute arbitration for war and a court of 
justice for force will in the end beyond question be successful. 

It may be of interest to recall that four cases have already 
been submitted to the Permanent Court at The Hague: The 
Pious Fund ease; the Venezuela cases of Preferential Treat- 
ment; the question of Japanese Leases; and the Mascot Con- 
troversy. It may be added that the United States and Great 
Britain have agreed to submit the Newfoundland ua dif- 
ficuity to The Hague, thus making a fifth ease. 

It is also most noteworthy that the Central American Peace 
Conference which was in session at Washington in November 
and December, 1907, concluded a convention for the establish- 
ment of a permanent Central American Court of Justice. By 
this convention the five Central American States are bound 
to submit to this Court all controversies or questions which 
arise among them, of whatsoever nature, and no matter what 
their origin may be, in case their respective Departments of 
Foreign Affairs are unable to reach an understanding. Mr. 
Carnegie has given $100,000 for the erection of an edifice for 
the Court. Already the Court has been inaugurated and with 
much ceremony. And a controversy has been submitted to it, 
the dispute having arisen between Salvador and Guatemala 
on the one side and Nicaragua and Honduras on the other. 
We thus have, for the first time in the history of the world, a 
court actually sitting in judgment upon litigant nations. 

The First Hague Conference was called for the specific 
purpose of considering the subject of the limitation of arma- 
ments. Other subjects were added, but that was the main 
purpose for which that Conference was called. The subject 
was debated at length. It led to a heated discussion and it 
was found impracticable to take any action of an obligatory 
character. A resolution was, however, unanimously adopted 
which read as follows: 


‘“The Conference is of opinion that the restriction of 
military charges, which are at present a heavy burden on 


INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. 305 


the world, is extremely desirable for the increase of the 
material and moral welfare of mankind. 

“The Conference expresses the wish that the govern- 
ments, taking into consideratien the proposals made to the 
Conference, may examine the possibility of an agreement 
as to the limitation of armed forces by land and sea, and 
of our budgets.”’ 


It has been understood that the failure to come to some ob- 
ligatory agreement in favor of a restriction of armaments was 
_ due in the main to the attitude of Germany. 

In the call issued for the Second Hague Conference the sub- 
ject of the limitation of armaments was not included in the 
_ program. The attitude of the Czar had changed and Russia 
strongly advised that the subject be not considered at all. 
The disinclination of Russia to allow the matter even to be 
discussed had a most discouraging effect in the United States 
and England. But the government of the United States in 
accepting the invitation to participate in the Conference an- 
nounced that it reserved to itself the liberty of submitting to 
the second Conference two questions additional to those in- 
eluded in the eall, viz: ‘‘The reduction or limitation of ar- 
mament and the attainment of an agreement to observe some 
limitations upon the use of force for the collection of ordi- 
nary public debts arising out of contracts.’’ The British 
Government likewise gave notice that it attached great im- 
portance to having the question of expenditures for arma- 
ment discussed at the Conference and that it reserved to it-. 
self the right of raising it. The Spanish Government express- 
ed a similar desire and intention. 

The result was that the Second Conference failed, as did 
the first, to take any action to limit the burden of armaments. 
It, however, unanimously adopted the following resolution : 

““The Second Conference of Peace reaffirms the resolu- 
tion adopted by the Conference of 1899 regarding the lim- 
itation of military charges, and considers that these 
military burdens have considerably increased.in almost 
all the countries since the last date. The Conference 
declares that it is especially to be desired that the goy- 


306 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


ernments should undertake again the serious study of this 
question.’’ 


The friends of Peace must regard the failure to take any 
affirmative action limiting armaments as a great misfortune. 
That the United States and Great Britain desired that some 
' limitation of armaments should be established certainly affords 
some satisfaction, and the efforts that these two nations made 
to induce other nations to agree with them to a reduction of 
armaments ought to be acknowledged with gratitude. But 
the fact is not to be lost sight of that while this country and 
England are each desirous that all nations should come to some 
definite agreement limiting armaments, these two nations, 
along with others, have made, ever since the First Hague 
Conference, increasingly lavish expenditures upon their own 
armaments. On July 30, 1908, one hundred and forty-four 
members of the House of Commons, being members of the 
Liberal party to which the Prime Minister belongs, presented 
penditures being made in that country for the maintenance 
him with a memorial protesting against. the enormous ex- 
of the military and naval establishments. 


The problem is a perplexing one. Nations feel compelled 
to increase their armaments because their neighbors are aug- 
menting theirs and they want to be prepared for emergen- 
cies. 

The one practical course which seems open to the friends of 
Peace is to make increased efforts to create a public sentiment 
throughout the world in condemnation of the existing condi- 
tions as to armaments and of the vast and burdensome ex- 
penditures which these conditions involve. The movement for 
a limitation of armaments must go on, and a way must be 
found by which the nations can reach some agreement upon 
the subject. 


Metternich thought the question of disarmament should be 
regarded from a moral and material point of view, and he 
regarded the moral point as granted. The Churches must 
take it for granted too. They cannot acquiesce without pro- 
test in the ever increasing expenditures for armaments and 
excuse their silence in a temper of futile fatalism without 


INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. 307 


confessing themselves enemies of progress and reform and 
unfaithful followers of the Prince of Peace. 

And while the Churches are particularly interested from a 
moral point of view in the question of the limitation of arma- 
ments, they cannot be uninterested in it from a material point 
of view. Regarding the matter purely in its material aspects 
these vast expenditures constitute a gigantic evil, exhausting 
as they do the resources of nations and imposing enormous 
debts which retard the true development of States. The an- 
nual expenditures for armaments, of the civilized nations of 
the world, is now estimated to be somewhere between £400,- 
000,000 and £500,000,000. The cost of a single first class 
battleship is about ten million dollars. To maintain and navi- 
gate it costs per year nearly a million dollars more. The cost 
of a single coast defense gun, capable of sinking a ship at a 
distance of twelve or fifteen miles is not less than seventy 
thousand dollars, and the cost of firing it is about one thou- 
sand dollars, and its life is said to be limited to less than a 
hundred discharges, when it has to be for the most part re- 
constructed. 

But the practical question for this body is what can the 
Churches do to aid the movement for the abolition of war? 
In answering that question it is necessary to remember that 
the world is governed by public opinion. Those who manage 
affairs of government do not lead public opinion. They fol- 
low and obey it. In no country is public opinion so powerful 
as in the United States. And the public opinion of this coun- 
try will exert more influence, probably, than that of any other 
one country, in shaping the opinions of this century and there- 
fore the conduct of the nations of the world. Every great re- 
form is to be worked out by educating public opinion. The 
answer to the question we have propounded is simple. Let the 
Churches educate public opinion. The greatest moral in- 
fluence in the country should be the pulpit. The abolition 
of war like slavery, and polygamy, and intemperance, is a 
great moral question. It is not a question to be left solely to 
Peace Societies, to Chambers of Commerce and to Peace Con- 
ferences. The Churches should exert their influence through 
the pulpit and through the religious press to awaken the pub- 


308 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


he conscience and create a universal demand for the abolition 
of war, for a limitation of armaments, and for an Interna- 
tional» Court of Arbitral Justice. The responsibility rests 
upon the pew as well as upon the pulpit. Every Church mem- 
ber in his place must do his part in the great work. He 
should be an agent in creating in his own particular sphere 
of influence a right public opinion on this subject. The 
Churches may well adopt the practice now observed in Great 
Britain and in some parts of Continental Europe and ob- 
serve the Sunday before Christmas as Peace Sunday, and 
thereby inculcate the great lessons of peace on earth and good 
will to men. 
In considering what may be done to aid the cause of Peace 
mention must be made of the service which can be rendered 
through the great societies of young people which many of 
the denominations have established for the purpose of train- 
ing the young men and women in the way of duty and of 
Christian service, and with the view of making them loyal 
and efficient members of the Church of Christ. If the 
Churches are to labor more earnestly for Peace these young 
people’s societies should do the same. They may become 
among the most powerful agencies in existence for the devel- 
opment of the movement for the abolition of war, and through 
them the youth of the nation may be trained in a better 
understanding of the general interests of humanity and in a 
more correct conception of the relations of the nations to each 
other. Connected with the Churches represented in this 
Council are the Young People’s Society of Christian En- 
deavor, the Epworth League, the Baptist Young People’s 
Union of America, the United Society of Free Baptist Young 
People, the Luther League of America, the Brotherhood of St. — 
Andrew, the Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip, and the 
Young People’s Christian Union of the Church of the United 
Brethren in Christ. The Young People’s Society of Chris- 
tian Endeavor has its societies in Canada, Australia, Great 
Britain, China, India and Japan as well as in all missionary 
lands. 

These organizations may well be advised that the Churches 
desire their co-operation in bringing about the abolition of 


INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. 309 


war and in securing the settlement of international differences 
through arbitration. Their attention may well be directed to 
the desirability of recognizing the 18th of May as a Peace 
Day. That day, as the anniversary of the opening of the 
Hague Conference, is coming to be recognized in this country 
and in Europe. It is observed by the Chautauqua Cireles all 
over the land. In 1907 it was observed in the schools of ten 
States on the recommendation of the Superintendents of Pub- 
lie Instruction. Its observance has been recommended by the 
National Commissioner of Education. The president of the 
National Educational Association in 1907 made a like recom- 
mendation in his annual address. The reasons which justify 
the observance of the day by the schools apply with equal 
force and perhaps with greater force to its observance "by the 
Young People’s Societies. 

It is also desirable that the attention of the Young: Men’s 
Christian Associations should be directed to the importance 
of this subject and their co-operation enlisted in the move- 
ment. There are about eight thousand of these associations 
in the world, of which about two thousand are ‘in this country 
with a membership of about five hundred thousand. These 
Associations have an International Committee with head- 
quarters in New York. There is-also a World’s Committee 
with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The latter com- 
mittee is composed of members representing America, Aus- 
tralia, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, 
France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Rus- 
sia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan and 
India. These associations should be requested in all countries 
in which they exist to recognize Hague Day and at other 
times and in such manner as they may determine to emphasize 
among their members the wrongfulness and folly of war and 
the rightfulness and wisdom of International Arbitration. 

We recommend the adoption of the following resolution : 

“Resolved, That the Federal Council of the Churches 
of Christ in America, assembled in the City of Philadel- 
phia and representing more than seventeen millions of 
communicants in the Evangelical Churches of America, 
makes the following declarations: 


310 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


“*1, It declares its conviction that war is evil and that 
Christian nations should determine by obligatory arbi- 
tration the international differences which cannot be set- 
tled by diplomacy. For Christian States in the Twen- 
tieth Century to refuse to arbitrate and to insist on war 
will be to bring reproach on the Christian name. 

‘*2. It favors the creation of the International Court 
of Arbitral Justice proposed by the Second Hague Con- 
ferenee, and hopes that the Government of the United 
States will promote its establishment and that at the 
earliest possible day. 

‘*3. It is opposed to increase of armaments and de- 
plores the failure of the Hague Conferences to come to an 
agreement upon this all important subject. 

‘*4, It has learned with much satisfaction that the Gov- 
ernment of the United States has recently entered into 
treaties of arbitration with some of the nations and it 
trusts that without unnecessary delay other treaties of 
arbitration may be made with other States. It regrets 
that it seemed to the contracting powers to be desirable 
to limit the existence of these treaties to five years and to 
restrict the subjects to be arbitrated to the somewhat 
narrow limits which the treaties define.’’ 

We also recommend the adoption of the following resolu- 
tion: 

‘*Resolved, That the Federal Council of the Churches 
of Christ in America makes the following recommenda- 
tion to the Evangelical Churches of America represented 
in this body: 

‘<«That the Churches throughout the United States, 
adopting the recommendation originally made by the 
British Peace Society to the Churches of Great Britain, 
observe in each year the Sunday before Christmas as 
Peace Sunday.’ 

‘‘And that the above action is taken in the hope that 
in all the world Christian Churches of whatever name 
will observe the same day as Peace Sunday.’’ 

We also recommend the adoption of the following resolu- 
tion : 


——<<ao.l!dlhL 


INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. 311 


Ch in America recommend to the various societies 
oung people connected with the Evangelical denom- - 
ons represented in this body that they in each year 
nize as Hague Day the 18th of May, and have on 
t+ day in all their chapters as far as possible a con- 
eration of the subject of Peace.’’ 


Family Life 


THe Rr. Rev. WiturAM CroswELL Doansg, D.D., LL.D.* 


There can be no sweeter subject 


on which to write, and 


none more sweeping in the reach and range of what it stands 
for than ‘‘Family Life.’’ It goes back to the very first of 


THE RT. REV. WILLIAM C. DOANE, D.D., LL.D. 


God’s ereative acts and 
of God’s avowed pur- 
pose, for no sooner had 
He formed man as the 
crown of the creation 
and set him in Paradise 
than He said: ‘‘It is not 
good for man to be 
alone’’ and so He made 
woman; and the man 
and the jwoman, the 
man and the wife, made 
it Paradise until sin en- 
tered in, and shame. 
We forget in our intense 
religious interest in the 
Church and in our 


‘strong and earnest in- 


terest in the State, that 
before these and in or- 
der to these, and as the 


form and type of these, the first institution in Paradise was 
marriage, and the first combination was the family; and fam- 


*Chairman of the Committee on Family Life; other members: 
FE. C. Beach, J. T. Boice, G. H. Bridgman, W. B. Craig, C. A. Dickey, 
R. Dubs, S. G. Gamertsfelder, D. A. Goodsell, F. G. Gotwald, S. A. John, 
S. J. Kieffer, W. G. Koons, A. G. Lawson, B. F. Lee, 8. D. Long, G. M. 
Mathews, C. D. Sinkinson, J. W. Sparks, C. B. Spencer, W. W. Staley 


and R. Tyler. 


For the discussion of this paper see page 144. 


312 


— eee 


FAMILY LIFE. 313 


ily life as the nucleus of all human relationships, out of 
which all others developed; the Church, the State, Society. 
Surely it needs guarding and preserving, as the spring needs 
preserving and guarding from anything that may defile its 
purity or choke its flow. And it is threatened to-day by three 
things: first, the lowered sense of the sanctity of marriage; 
secondly, the prevalence of divorce; and thirdly, by the alarm- 
ing increase of restriction about the bearing of children, be- 
cause, after all while the man and his wife make in a sense 
the family and the home, it is incomplete and imperfect with- 
out children. 

Of this last matter, painful and revolting as it is, I believe 
it is the duty of the Christian Church to speak out in no 
uncertain voice and with no bated breath; and I am glad to 
make my own, and to make known in this way to American 
Christians, utterances of the Bishops of the Anglican Com- 
munion recently gathered in Lambeth. First, the fact that 
there has been a decline in the birth rate in every western 
country, most marked among the English speaking people. 
Comparing the birth rate of 1894 to 1898 with that of 1874 to 
1878 the decrease in Norway was four (4) per cent; in France, 
fourteen (14) per cent.; in England and Wales, seventeen 
(17) per cent.; and in the United States the decline in the 
birth rate is greater than in any other country? ‘‘Many 
causes have been alleged for this decline in the birth rate; 
some of these, such as the tendency to marry at a later age 
than formerly, have no doubt influenced the birth-rate; but 
it is admitted beyond all power of dispute that it is largely 
due to the'doss of the sense of responsibility to God for the 
fruits of marriage, resulting in deliberate avoidance or pre- 
vention of child-bearing. The moral evil of this habit claims 
our first attention. We are glad to notice that the New South 
Wales Commission commented on ‘‘the grave immorality of 
deliberately preventing conception.’’ The habit, in the view 
of the Commission, tended to “‘undermine the morality of the 
people; to loosen the bonds of religion, and to obliterate the 
influence of those higher sentiments and sanctions for conduct 
with which the development of high national character has 
ever been associated.’” We must dismiss from our minds the 


314 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


belief that restriction is due to the pressure of necessity; the 
evidence which we have had before us convinces us that the 
practice prevails more among the well-to-do than among the 
poor. It arises from the wish to escape burdens which might 
lessen social prestige or limit the opportunities of pleasure; it 
is a symptom of the spirit which shirks responsibility and re- 
sents self-denial, and which results in the weakening of char- 
acter. In Canada the alarm has led to a solemn pronounce- 
ment on the part of the bishops, warning against that ‘‘god- 
less spirit which seeks to regulate at will the results of mar- 
riage, and largely to banish childhood from the home.’’ 

‘‘The Committee, moved by these considerations, desires to 
recommend that wherever possible legislation should be pro- 
moted to secure—(a) The prohibition of so-called Neo-Mal- 
thusian appliances, and of patent drugs, and corrupting ad- 
vertisements. (b) The prosecution of all who publicly and 
professionally assist preventive methods. (¢) A proper and 
efficient standard and status of those who practice midwifery. 
(d) The national recognition of the dignity of motherhood, 
evinced by the provision of adequate care, protection, and as- 
sistance for women before and after child-birth.’’ 

Behind and before all this, in the matter of time and im- 
portance, is the necessity of impressing upon the people the 
sacredness of the marriage tie and its meaning. It must be 
recognized that marriage is an estate of life, continuous and 
permanent; that it is defined in a religious way by what the 
Holy Seriptures say of it, and described by the statute in a 
civil and legal sense. The Scriptural definition beyond all 
peradventure, whether in the language of its institution in 
Genesis, or in the language of its re-affirmation in the Gos- 
pels, is, that marriage is the union of one man and one woman 
for life. It may broadly and generally be assumed that when 
two people enter into a contract of marriage, it is implied and 
understood that they enter into this mutual relation for life. 
So, then, the great need of the time seems to be to impress 
upon men and women the seriousness, sacredness, and solemn- 
ity of marriage, that ‘‘it may not be entered into unadvisedly, 
or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in 
the fear of God.’’ It is a sufficient indication of the serious- 


FAMILY LIFE. 315 


ness of marriage that, as one has said, it is the only contract 
which a man and a woman make for life, and the only con- 
tract that cannot end by mutual consent; the only contract 
for life that is legally binding and the only contract that is 
legally binding for more than a year, that is not expressed in 
writing. ‘‘The honourable estate instituted of God in the 
time of man’s innocency signifying unto us the mystical union 
that is betwixt Christ and His Church; which holy estate 
Christ adorned and beautified with His presence and first 
miracle that He wrought in Cana of Galilee;’’ this is the 
Church’s description of what marriage is; changing, one 
might say, the common water of the mere«civil act into the 
rich wine of a mysterious and sacred:meaning. Again, the 
Church speaks of it as “‘the holy estate of matrimony,’’ as 
**God’s holy ordinance,’’ and pronounces them man and wife 
““in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy 
Ghost,’’ adding the benediction in the Triune Name. 

And the next is the danger of the easy divorce tearing up 
the roots and pulling away the foundations of the family and 
family life. Differ as we may in the various Protestant 
churches upon the ground on which divorce may be allowed, 
and various as are the laws in different States, there is, I think, 
a common concensus of opinion in all the churches, that, in 
itself, divorce is a menace to society and a threatening ruin 
_to the home. More and more, I believe, the States will come 
to limit causes; more and more the churches will come to 
recognize the single exception supposed to be made by our 
Lord—except for the cause of fornication; more and more, I 
believe, we shall come to realize that the true form of our 
Lord’s utterance is found in St. Mark and St. Luke where 
the prohibition is absolute without a single exceptional case 
given in the text of St. Matthew in ‘‘words,’’ as the Rev. J. 
H. F. Peile said recently in the Pan Anglican Congress, 
‘‘ which are now generally rejected by critics,’? and so more 
and more I hope that the churches will take the stand which 
we took in the Conference at Lambeth. 

“The function of the Church in these matters can be 
stated quite simply. The Church does not make the marriage. 
The marriage is made by the man and the woman, their con- 


316 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


sent being duly certified. The function of the Church is three- 
fold: To bear public witness to the fact of the marriage; to 
pronounce the blessing of Almighty God upon the pair who 
have of their own accord entered upon the holy estate of 
matrimony, instituted by God Himself; and ever after to 
guard the sanctity of the marriage bond so long as they both 
shall live.’’ 

It is impossible to note with other than the greatest pain 
and the gravest condemnation the ease with which in these 
modern times divorcees are obtained, and the frequency of the 
eases in which the husband and the wife are in collusion in the 
appeal to the courts. 

So far as alleged reasons for divorce are concerned, the 
Committe unhesitatingly declare that in their judgment there 
is at most but one cause for which a marriage rightly per- 
formed and also consummated: ought ever to be broken by a 
court of law. The Chairman of your Committee, speaking for 
himself, is bold enough to hope, that the time is coming when 
we shall all agree to the language of the resolution: 

‘“When an innocent person has, by means of a court of law, 
divorced a spouse for adultery, and desires to enter into an- 
other contract of marriage, it is undesirable that such a con- 
tract should receive the blessing of the Church,”’ 

Meanwhile it becomes us as teachers to create a clear and 
strong public opinion; to enlist on the side of the sacredness 
of the marriage tie irresistible power of social opinion. ‘‘If 
the clean-living women in all the many ranks and eares of 
life would refuse (as the Inter-Church Conference on Divorce 
suggested) to have social relations with adulteress or adulterer 
the flood of evil would be stemmed and turned.’’ 

I am glad to quote and adopt the striking thought of a 
paper read at the Pan-Anglican Congress by the Rev. J. H. 
F. Peile, author of the last Bampton Lectures, called “*The 
Reproach of the Gospel’’: 

‘‘The essence of Christ’s general teaching is to insist on 
the value of each human soul, as a member of God’s family. 
The result of His teaching on marriage is to raise woman from 
the position of a chattel to that of a person, who brings to 
her union with man a different but equivalent personality and 


se 


i 
rs 
. 


FAMILY LIFE. 317 


thereby to exalt marriage from a merely physical union to 
one that is truly social, and more than social, spiritual and 
ideal. 

“This high doctrine, as we are ready to admit, involves 
monogamy. The store of service and affection which the hus- 
band owes is rightly claimed by one; it cannot be divided or 
scattered. But it involves also the permanence of the obliga- 
tion of the marriage tie during life. The limitations of time 
which apply properly to secular contracts can have no relation 
to the spiritual covenant of marriage. ‘He answered and 
said unto them, Have ye not read, that He which made them 
at the beginning made them male and female? Wherefore 
they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God 
hath joined together, let no man put asunder.’ 

““By precept and example Christ makes family life in the 
fullest sense a sacrament; itself, by God’s mercy, common to 
the use of all men, 


*< ‘Not too bright and good 
For human nature’s daily food;’ 


yet, like the bread and wine, seen by wiser eyes as a miracle, 
a miracle of natural growth and fitness for its purpose; and 
typifying the highest and most lifegiving truth that can be 
known; even that the Eternal and Omnipotent God is a 
Father; and we, frail and imperfect creatures, men and 
women, not His playthings or His slaves, but His children. 
A sincere and reverent contemplation of the words and life of 
Christ will guard us from the temptation to disparage either 
the affections or the discipline of the home. 

** All that we know of the youth and early manhood of the 
incarnate Son of God is contained in a few verses of St. Luke’s 
Gospel. But the reticence of the inspired Evangelist is more 
significant than the trite fantastics of the uncanonical Gos- 
pels; for his sparing words, and his silence, alike reveal to us 
the mystery, that the wisdom, which could already astonish 
learned age, must still be schooled and trained by the sweet 
daily ministrations of family intercourse and loving obedi- 
ence; and that not for nothing did He who was to be the 
Redeemer of a world, dwell long years pent in the narrow cir- 


318 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


cle of a Galilean village household. And when the time came, 
and He passed forever from that humble, well-beloved thres- 
hold, its memories were still about Him to the end of His 
earthly life. Even in the mortal agony of the Cross, His 
thoughts turned to her of whose pangs He was born a man ; 
whose tender love had shielded His weakness, and ministered 
to His childish wants; to her who, as mothers must, had felt 
the sword pierce through her own heart also, as she watched 
Him grow beyond her shielding care, beyond her power of 
help and understanding.’’ 

Your Committee presents the following resolutions: 

1. That it is preeminently the duty of the Church to guard 
and preserve the integrity and purity of the family. 

2. That we find the lowered sense of the sanctity of mar- 
riage and the consequent prevalence of divorce a threatening 
danger to the integrity of family life. 

3. That it is the duty of the church to insistently proclaim 
the inviolability and sacredness of the marriage tie. 

4, That the Church more conscientiously enforce the Scrip- 
tural norm, regarding the remarrying of divorced persons. 

5. That this Federal Council recognizes the action of the 
National Divorce Congress and also of the National Bar Asso- 
ciation as indicating a determined desire to prevent the pre- 
valence of divorce and consequent evils. 

6. That the Council rejoices in the greatly awakened in- 
terest on the part of the churches and the public in the im- 
portant campaign of education for the influencing of public 
Opinion such as has been carried on by the Inter-Church Con- 
ference on Marriage and Divorce, believing that this is the 
most effectual way to meet and overcome the divorce evil, to 
guard the sanctity of the marriage relation, to preserve the 
family, and to secure the highest welfare of the State. 

7. That the Executive Committee of the Council be and 
hereby is authorized to enter into correspondence with the 
Inter-Church Conference on Marriage and Divorce, with a 
view to joint action in all matters connected with the pre- 
servation of the family and the Christian home. 


PART III. 


‘Popular Meetings in Connection With the Sessions of the Council. 


1. Address of Welcome. 

. Christian Unity on the Foreign Field. 
. Evangelism and Home Missions. 

. Young People in Federative Work. 

. The Church and the Workingman. 

. Brotherhoods for Service. 

. Farewell to the Council. 


AD OKF WwW LD 


319 


Welcome to the Federal Council 


Its Character, Purpose and Spirit Outlined 
By THE Rev. Wm. Henry Ropers, D.D., LL.D.* 


As the Presiding Officer of this opening session, it is ap- 
propriate that I should speak concisely upon the character, 
purposes, and spirit of the Federal Council of the Churches 
of Christ in America. 

a. Its Representative Character. The character of the 
Council as a representative body is determined by two facts, 
first of which is the proposal presented to the thirty con- 
stituent denominational churches which were represented 
in the Inter-Church Conference held in New York City in 
November, 1905. That proposal was for a federation of de- 
nominations to be created by the denominations themselves. 
Federation is no new idea, but denominational federation is 
new. The second fact is the adoption by 28 out of 30 of 
the constituent churches and by two additional churches of 
the plan of denominational federation approved by the Con- 
ference of 1905. This Council by virtue of these two facts 
is an Interdenominational Assembly, composed of delegates 
appointed, in so far as feasible, in an official manner by 
the governing or advisory bodies of the constituent denomina- 
tions. It is not a body whose members are self-chosen, but 
one composed of delegates duly appointed by competent au- 
thority, and possessed of a representative character. This 
Council stands officially for thirty denominations, 18,000,000 
communicants, and a world-wide Christian work. 

b. Its Religious Character. This Council, from the re- 
ligious viewpoint, is distinctively evangelical in character. 
From its beginning, the movement which has found this even- 
ing consummation, has been carried forward by the larger 
Protestant Churches of the country, holding to historical 


*Acting President of the Council at the Opening Session of Welcome, 
in the Academy of Music, Wednesday evening, December 2, 1908, 


321 


Se FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


and evangelical Christianity. These churches are of diverse 
origin, and there are differences in their creeds, in their 
government, and in their worship, but whatever their origin 
or diversities, they are without exception in accord upon 
the great fundamentals of Christian doctrine and practice, 
and especially upon the doctrines which assert the Deity of 
Christ, the authority of the Bible and the primacy of faith 
in Jesus Christ as the condition for all men of salvation and 
life. 

e. Its National Relationship. Again, this Council is Amer- 
ican in its national relations. Some of the delegates here 
this evening represent churches which have their source in 
the great national Churches of England, Scotland, Holland, 
and Germany, and date back to the earliest settlements of 
our land. Other delegates represent churches of more recent 
origin, and in part native to the soil of the Republic. Despite 
their differences, all are one in emphasizing the fact that 
America is but another name for opportunity, and that the 
Twentieth Century has obligations in connection with Chris- 
tian work which demand the attention of the churches as 
churches. The Church of Christ and the Nation, are vitally 
related each to the other, and the welfare of the Nation de- 
pends upon the fidelity of the Church to its trust. The ques- 
tion of questions for a nation is its religion, and that ques- 
tion this Council will make effort to answer in a Christian 
manner. We believe that the great Christian bodies in our 
country should stand together, lead in the discussion of and 
give an impulse to all great movements that make for right- 
eousness. We believe that questions like those of Marriage 
and Divorce, Sabbath Desecration, Foreign Immigration, 
Modern Industry, the Moral and Religious Training of the 
Young, indeed all great questions in which the voice of the 
churches should be heard, demand their united and con- 
certed action, if the Church of Christ is to lead effectively in 
the thorough Christianization of our country. - 

d. Its Relation to the World. Another supremely import- 
ant matter is the relation of the American Churches and the 
American Nation to the world for which Christ died, and 
which He lives to save, bless and make perfect in holiness. 


WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL. 323 


It is a subject of felicitation that the attitude of our Nation 
is largely a Christian one towards other peoples. The world 
policies of the last few years, with their centre at Washing- 
ton, have been prevailingly Christian in their spirit. Amer- 
ican diplomacy has won of late victories impossible to battle- 
ships. The essential spirit of our Nation is that of Jesus 
Christ, and it is the duty of the American Churches to make 
that spirit more Christian, to awaken yet greater national 
interest in the welfare of all earth’s peoples, to provide men 
and means in increasing ratios for the work of spiritual sal- 
vation, and to hasten the coming of the day when the true 
King of Men shall everywhere be crowned as Lord of all. 
This Council stands for the hope of organized work for 
speedy Christian advance toward World Conquest. 

The meeting of this Council, as suggested by its character, 
is an indication of that appropriate development which is 
true progress in the affairs of the Kingdom of God. Different 
epochs are characterized by dominant ideas, differing, yet 
closely related to each other in the system of religious 
thought. The Protestant Reformation, for instance, empha- 
sized the right of private judgment, and by so doing rendered 
inestimable benefit to the world of mankind. It taught men 
to think for themselves, and developed in a notable manner 
individuality of character. The rights of conscience and the 
independence of the individual have now been efficiently 
acknowledged for four centuries, and have become funda- 
mental principles of the social and religious organizations of 
the modern world, especially in the United States. Thought- 
ful persons are realizing the need of combination and co- 
operation in religious work. The rights secured by the Refor- 
mation of the Sixteenth Century are a foundation standing 
upon which Christians are assured of liberty of thought and 
action. The time has come when Christian free men should 
be prepared to act together for the welfare of their neighbors, 
their country and their God. The interests of the individual 
no longer blind the eyes of believers to the need of mutuality 
in service. In this day of marvelous opportunities the duty 
of Christians is to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind 
striving for the faith of the Gospel. 


j24 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


There always have been men in every Christian generation, . 
who, with the Apostle Paul, have realized the need for co- 
operative work on the part of Christians in order to secure 
the largest results for the Kingdom of God. John Calvin, 
writing from Geneva, Switzerland, in 1553, to Archbishop 
Cranmer, of the Church of England, said that if necessary, he 
would cross ten seas to bring the separated Churches of 
Christ into one. The Reformers in Scotland, in the first 
Constitution adopted by them in 1560 inserted a section pro- 
viding for a General Council of the Church of Christ through- 
out the world. John Knox, however sharply he differed from 
other men, ever kept within mental vision that world for 
which Christ died. John Wesley, more than a century ago, 
writing to a fellow minister of the Church of England, said: 
‘*‘T desire a league offensive and defensive with every soldier 
of Christ. We have not only one faith, one hope, one head, 
but are directly engaged in one warfare.’’ Not only have 
great leaders of the Church in the past thus declared them- 
selves, but there have been powerful influences towards the 
manifestation of Christian unity during the century just 
past, in many lands notably in our own. The Evangelical 
Alliance, organized in Great Britain, in 1846, declared its 
conviction of the desirableness of forming a federation on the 
basis of general evangelical principles for the cultivation of 
brotherly love and the promoting of the objects of Christian — 
effort. The Alliance, however, is not a federation—it failed 
to come into direct organized connection with the solidarity 
and continuity of the Church. The efforts made more re- 
cently by the authorities of the Protestant Episcopal, the 
Presbyterian and other churches, with a view to Christian 
unity; the movements among the laity of the Church, such 
as the Temperance Organizations, the Student Volunteers, the 
Young Men’s and Young Women’s Christian Associations, 
the Christian Endeavor Societies, the International Sabbath 
School Association, and other organizations, all indicate that 
there is everywhere a desire on the part of Christians, what- 
ever their denominational name, to co-operate one with an- 
other. 

Notably is this desire expressed in the foreign mission field. 


WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL. 325 


It is marvelous how the presence of the common enemy in 
heathen lands has brought Christian men to realize their need 
of unity in thought and work. Face to face with the cor- 
ruption and degradation of heathenism, they realize in a 
very distinct manner that this world is a lost world apart 
from Jesus Christ. The missionaries of the Cross in every 
land are to-day working together as never before, brethren 
in the common work of their Lord. 

Realizing, therefore, their obligations to Christ and to their 
fellow men, the American Christian Churches, which meet 
in Council at this time, in this historic city of brotherly love, 
seek to make evident certain facts: 

a. The fact of the substantial unity of the Christian 
Churches of the Nation. While ‘‘separate as the billows, 
they are yet one as the sea.’’ ‘‘We are not divided, all one 
body we.’’ 

b.- The fact that the churches realize the need for co-opera- 
tion, as churches, for the moral and spiritual welfare of the 
nation and of the world. A new order of things is begin- 
ning, an order in which individuals shall do more and not 
less, in which voluntary service shall secure more valuable 
results than in the past, because both individuals and the 
denominations shall concentrate the resources and energies 
of all, in an increasingly systematic, and united endeavor 
for the winning of the nation and of the world for Christ. 

3. The third fact is that the Council witnesses to the truth 
that the only enduring hope for the salvation, progress and 
perfection of mankind, in this and in all lands, is to be found 
in faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ as the divine Saviour. 
He is the head of that Church Universal which is His body, 
and to it, in all its members He has entrusted the Gospel of 
the redeeming grace of God. 

Christ and His Church, how close each is to the other, how 
the life of the Church’s Head stirs in all His members, the 
source of comfort, strength and an undying hope. And the 
spirit of this Council is the spirit of steadfast faith in Him 
who is the author and finisher of our salvation. 

Immediately after one of the fiercest battles of the Civil 
War a chaplain of one of the Federal regiments passed over 


326 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


the field of conflict in the performance of his duty. He no- 
ticed among the prostrate bodies one which moved, and quickly 
was at the side of a dying soldier. Recognizing that the man 
had not long to live, he at once proceeded to administer, but 
in rather a formal manner, the consolations of religion. 
Kneeling at the man’s side, he asked him to what church he 
belonged, and the surprising answer came, ‘‘The Church 
which God hath purchased with His own blood.’’ Oh, but 
that is not what I mean, said the minister, ‘‘What is your 
belief?’’ The mortally wounded disciple replied, ‘‘I know 
whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to 
keep that which I have committed unto Him against that 
day.’’ ‘‘Oh,’’ said the chaplain, ‘‘but you do not understand 
me,—what is your persuasion?’’ The answer came from 
lips which were quivering in the article of death, ‘‘I am per- 
suaded that neither death nor life shall be able to separate 
us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,’’ 
and with these words the soldier passed into the presence of 
Him who is the Saviour of all them that believe in Him. ~ 

That Lord who comforted the dying one upon the field of 
national battle is present with us in this Council. We are 
of the Church that God ransomed with precious blood. We 
are of the number of those who are assured that they know 
in whom they have believed. We are persuaded that nothing 
can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. 
As we gird ourselves then for Christian service upon that 
spiritual battlefield whose issues affect the destinies not only 
of men but of the universe, let us by faith clasp the hand of 
Him by whom we can be strengthened to do all things; let 
ours be more practical sympathy with His gracious purposes 
for man and the universe, let us seek to realize in word and 
act that true fellowship which gives force to the words, ‘‘ Now 
ye are the body of Christ and members in particular. One 
in Christ may we be one in work for Christ. 


The Welcome of the City 


Philadelphia Has Had Experience in Federating 
By THE Rev. Georce E. Ress, D.D.* 


It is an easy task given me to do. Philadelphia is always 
glad to welcome distinguished citizens whose life and work 
appeal to her moral and religious sympathies. The only dif- 
ficulty is to give it full 
expression. We are not 
a demonstrative people 
and we say less than 
more of how we feel. 
We have inherited the 
Quaker habit of sup- 
pression. Lately we 
kept Founder’s Week 
and told all the world 
of what we are and have 
_ done. Our boast is not 
of material things so 
much as of men. We 
have placed the effigy of 
a man five hundred feet 
towards heaven, and 
Penn’s statute of our 
City Hall is a symbol of 
our history and our 
readiness to honor man. 
It is of men and great ideas we boast. 

In welcoming you to our city we must reassure you of 
your safety in view of the ill-rumors circulated by the rela- 
tives of him who was a liar from the beginning. Our streets 
are safe and pure, though the wearing of your Council badges 
will make it doubly sure, for the deft-fingered fraternity do 


THE REY. GEORGE E. REES, D.D. 


*Pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church of Philadelphia. 
327 


328 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


not regard ministers good subjects to waste their ingenuity 
upon. Do not infer from our circumscribed streets that we 
are a narrow people. Their straightness is a sign that we 
take no crooked and circuitous way in reaching our ends. 

Religiously we are a goodly city. It is the centre of light 
for the young people of the country. The chief Sunday- 
school societies have their headquarters here. The churches 
are large and prosperous. To be frank the Federal Council 
is not needed here as much as in many places, for already 
Christians live in concord and co-operation. But it is a good 
city for the Council to come to so they may see how brethren 
dwell together in unity and unite in a common service for the 
eity and Church. Philadelphia has had experience in fed- 
erating. She federated the Colonies and made them a Nation, 
securing a splendid unity while preserving full autonomy. 
The first Congress of the country met here and now the 
first Congress of the Federated Church is in session. 

We welcome you because you represent a spirit and ideal 
which finds expression in the name of the city—‘‘Let 
brotherly love continue.’’ In other years we deified Con- 
science. Now we deify Love. But they are not contrary. 
Love has no existence apart from conscience. We do not im- 
prove our health by extracting the iron out of the blood. 
The long-continued Indian Summer we have had makes us 
wish for a nip in the air. Suavity is no substitute for con- 
viction. Good nature and mutual appreciation cannot take 
the place of virile faith. Love may become sentimentality ; 
charity is the more beautiful when it is allied with strong 
convictions and marked individuality. 

We should not take it for granted that the Lord’s Prayer 
is fully answered, ‘‘that they may be one,’’ when acerbity 
and narrowness and denominational intrusions are taken 
away from the churches. Sects and schisms were not upper- 
most in the mind of our Lord when He thus prayed, though 
the prayer covered all these conditions of course. An in- 
finitely deeper and more mystical thought was in the mind 
of our Lord. It was not oneness in external things but in 
the internal life. He prayed for a union among believers like 
that which existed between the Father and Himself, a holy 


a 


WELCOME TO TIIE COUNCIL. 329 


blending of nature and spirit and life. Now this prayer, that 
they may be one’’ is as much needed to be offered in a church 
where the same ritual is followed, the same creeds recited, 
and where variance of belief and expression is unknown. I 
cannot agree with those who use this prayer simply or even 
chiefly with reference to a divided Christendom. The place 


- where this prayer should be offered above all others is not in 


a little separated gathering of spiritually-minded men, study- 
ing their Bible and joining in prayer, but rather in a great 
cathedral where there is outward unity and organization but 
where spiritual unity with the Father and with His Son Jesus 
Christ are little thought of and only dimly conceived. 

This Federal Council is called into being to meet great and 
pressing needs. It is to lessen, if not wholly remove, the 
evils and the wrongs and the defects that are associated with 
and almost inevitably associated with the unfettering of the 
human mind and the liberating of a bound conscience and 
with a re-birth of divine zeal in the Christian soul. There 
may be sores and sears and blots and freckles upon the body 
of the Church, and even then that Church may be full of 
splendid vitality and moral energy; but these things must be 
eured that that Church may be presented, ‘‘glorious, without 
spot or wrinkle or any such thing.”’ 

But we welcome the Council not only as a healer of sores, 
and not only as an apothecary to take away the freckles, 
but as a unifying power by which the scattered and unused 
forces may be gathered together and directed in the conquest 
of the kingdom of God. We welcome it as a means of creat- 
ing and expressing and enforcing moral convictions. We need 
union, but a union that has dynamic in its very heart. The 
spirit of conciliation is good; the spirit of conquest is better. 
To stop Christian warring among Christians is good, be- 
cause their blunders are an absurdity and even a crime, but 
the strength spent on internecine warfare must be turned 
on the unrighteousness and irreligious in the world without. 
The Council needs the power of assertion and the instinct 
of aggression as well as the charm of the peacemaker and uni- 
fier. We love the harp, even the xolian harp, but it cannot 
take the place of the trumpet of the Church of God. We like 


330 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


the dulcet music that soothes and pleases, but there are oc- 
casions where the ear-racking bagpipe is better than either. 

We notice the omission of the word ‘‘Protestant’’ in the 
Council’s declarations of purpose and plan, and we appreciate 
the wisdom of speaking of the Christian Churches of America. 
Of course it is a misfortune that the word ‘‘Protestant”’ 
should ever be necessary; but in the past and now the word 
‘“Protestant’’ stands for ideas and conditions that cannot be 
dropped out of our minds. Our circumstances may necesi- 
tate this unhappy attitude of protestors, but glad will be the 
day when we shall not need to be protestants. But may God 
in the meanwhile save us from the hallucination of trying to 
mix oil and water and joining things that are unjoinable. 
But if the future opens before the Church new ideals of the 
divine society, then let us be willing to inelude even denom- 
inationalism and protestantism among the things that are to 
be left behind, while we go on to perfection. Now we know 
in part, and we prophesy in part, but when that which is 
perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. 


The Welcome of the Churches 


Federation Not Coming, But Already Present 


By THE Rev. STEPHEN W. Dana, D.D.* 


Upon me has been conferred the duty and honor of joining 
with my brother, Dr. Rees, in voicing the cordial welcome 
which the Christians of Philadelphia extend to the Federal 


THE REV. STEPHEN W. DANA, D.D. 


Council. Philadelphia 
has had many confer- 
ences and conventions 
of distinguished men 
and women, religious 
and secular alike, from 
the Colonial period of 
Penn, through _ the 
struggles for Independ- 
ence and the framing 
of the Constitution, 
through the dark hours 
of civil strife and war 
to these peaceful days 
in which we are living. 
Some of these conven- 
tions have been fraught 
with the most  far- 
reaching consequences, 
the blessings of which 
we and all the world 


are enjoying to-day. We are hopeful, aye, confident, that 
this Council has in it potentialities for good, of which the 
world little dreams. The unifying of the forces of Protest- 
antism that we may move as one solid phalanx against every 
enemy of truth and righteousness, ought to arouse the keen- 
est enthusiasm in every heart. Yes, it may be a movement 


*Pastor of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. 


’ 331 


332 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


to something larger still. There are questions of temperance, 
of education, of marriage and divorce, of good citizenship, of 
business and political ethics which demand the union of all 
the religious forces of the country, Jew and Gentile, Protest- 
ant and Catholie alike. 

The spirit of federation has already been embodied, espe- 
cially on the foreign field. Our missionaries do not look upon 
Christians of a different name as rivals, each eager to gather 
results from some promising field. To them ‘‘the field is the 
world’’ and the field is so dark that they welcome the light 
from whatever source it comes. It was not by accident that 
when the Philippines were opened, the secretaries of several 
of our large foreign missionary boards met and amicably 
agreed concerning which sections of the island should be as- 
signed to different denominations that there might be no 
such thing as competition in things sacred but the most cor- 
dial co-operation. That was practical federation. We need 
more of that spirit in our own country, in meeting the prob- 
lems of the immigrants, the degraded poor and the un- 
churched of all classes in our large cities. 

Nor does this interfere with loyalty to our own. When 
rightly understood it but deepens and broadens our attach- 
ment to the church we love. There are those who say that 
love of country is narrow and provincial, that we ought to 
grasp the whole world in our affections. The man who loves 
no country as his own has no deep attachment to the world 
at large. When a man says he loves every other man’s wife 
as well as his own, it is safe to watch him. When a man says 
he has no special attachment for any village or town, city, 
state or country, it is evident that he is not devoted to the 
race as a whole. In other words, if every country stands for 
something, it is manifest that the whole human family is ele- 
vated in proportion as each country rises in the schale of 
being. So is it with the Church universal. 

Federation is not only coming; it has come. We feel that 
that Council is but falling in with the march of God’s king- 
dom. Our prayers and our hopes are with you. Hence, we 
welcome you most warmly to our city and to our churches, to 
our homes and to our hearts. 


es 


vl 


Response From The Council 


Recognition And Anticipation 
By THE Rev. Wauuace MacMutien, D.D.* 


In a welcome we are at liberty to find a Recognition and 
an Anticipation. 

“The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in Amer- 
ica’’ is an accomplished 
fact. Thank God! We 
do not come to create 
it. It exists. We are 
its members and are 
welcomed as such. The 
Churches of Christ in 
America are here in 
representative assembly. 
Not all of them. Would 
God it were possible for 
them to all gather in 
this Federal body! But 
thirty of them are here 
and 18,000,000 disciples 
of Christ are affected by 
this gathering. 

‘““The Churches of 
Christ.’’ You will note 

THE REV. WALLACE MACMULLEN, D.D. the courtesy and hon- 

esty expressed in that 
title. There is in it the frank recognition of the dignity of 
those from whom we differ. That stately word ‘‘Church’”’ 
which is the correlate of the Gospel and which is inseparable 
from its historic expressions, is allowed, not to one Christian 
body but to all the contracting parties and constituent mem- 


*Pastor of the Madison Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, Man- 
hattan, New York. 


333 


334 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


bers of this Council. And this is no admission made in the 
interests of peace and at the bidding of polite habits. It is 
rather a hearty acknowledgment of an indubitable fact. The 
acknowledgment of a fact is not merely a bit of good man- 
ners but a bit of good morals. It is simple honesty. Hold 
strenuously as we may to theories and forms and methods 
of our own yet we none of us have a monopoly of funda- 
mental Christian verities. The equal rights and the everlast- 
ing values of ecclesiastical comrades are proclaimed in our 
title. 

But our welcome recognizes something else than our equal- 
ity before God. It recognizes our usefulness on earth. 
Power as well as standing is admitted by such courteous and 
hearty greeting. Certain |vital improvements have been 
achieved among men. Certain great treasures, political, so- 
cial, ethical, spiritual have been gained during the Christian 
centuries. Has the Church been useful in winning them? 
Debauchery has been dissociated from religion, human life 
has gained a new value, human brotherhood a new empha- 
sis. Mr. Benjamin Kidd fixes upon the law of sacrifice as 
characteristic of.our Western civilization and as shaping it. 
It was held in leash in the old civilization, unloosed in our 
western civilization. What set it free? Some hold that the 
Church has been a barrier to the process by which men have 


been lifted and by which kindness has become prominent. 


Others say the Church has been a perpetual disappointment. 

That the Church has disappointed Him who is our Lord 
and her life, that she has often been far from ideal is cer- 
tainly true, but that she has been of doubtful value to human 
progress is absurd. To admit the great ethical and social 
changes and then say that they have been due not to religious 
organization or to religion but to democracy and science and 
trade is to be superficial. Intellectual activity and political 
equality themselves need to be explained. Though mistakenly 
the Church has sometimes tried to put an embargo upon 
man’s mind, yet religious feeling and religious aims have 
been active in great intellectual advances. The call of the 
Lord of the Church has nerved the mind to break the meshes 
of its ignorance. The truth of God has awaited man’s dis- 


iz 


WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL. 335 


covery. Revelation is discovery’s vodverse. And democracy 
to which so much of human growth is credited means, as 
Lowell pointed out, not “‘I am as good as you are, but you 
are as good as I am.’’ That recognition of dignity in all 
is by the discovery of the value of each-in the eyes of God, 
which particular truth has its champion and prophet in Jesus 
Christ. The brotherly love which is our social characteristic 
was unloosed by His sacrifice. That institution which stands 
definitely and has stood historically for Him who loved to the 
uttermost is the Church. 

That these American churches have a special value to 
America will not be questioned. ‘‘Sweet Land of Liberty,’’ 
where the State has avoided entangling alliances with the 
Church, a course from which, please God, the State will never 
depart in the smallest degree! Because here the Church has 


-had no external help or handicap she has better developed her 


own life and has been of more use to the State which has left 
her free. Religious reverence, religious knowledge, religious 
philanthropy are, according to Mr. Bryce, more widespread 
in the United States than in any part of Western Continental 
Europe or England. Our friendliness, our eagerness for 
united action in behalf of our land are in part the result of 
our liberty from State control or State support. 

Then a welcome has in it anticipation as well as recognition. 
What may be anticipated from our gathering? Perhaps our 
hopes are at present without form and void. The spirit of 
our coming is felt, the plan is in the interests of the Kingdom, 
the motive is holy, but our expectations are vague. Let us be 
sure that the Spirit of God, who has marshalled our hosts 
and who broods over our hearts, will bring order and beauty 
into this new sphere of religious life. 

Some benefits are in plain sight. Association is itself of 
immense value. Our contacts will have a tendency to make 
us forget our differences and exalt our agreement. In polity 
and definition and form we vary. These are not to be spoken 
of as non-essentials to a miltant church. Methods of control 
and of worship may be the demands of living souls, varieties 
are determined by vital differences in us, definitions may be 
the shining facets which make clear the heart of fire and the 


336 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


flashing glory of the jewel of truth. The development of these 
has been left by our reigning King to the spirit-directed in- 
telligence of His lovers. But fundamental facts upon which 
all our historic developments are based are not constructed by 
us, they are not changed by the years, they have not been 
weakened by disputes, they are not monopolized by special 
favorites, nor split into fragments for distribution among dis- 
tinet and separated camps of the soldiers of God. And these 
facts to which we all swear fealty and which give our religion 
its distinction are the incarnation of God, the perfect life, 
the perfect sacrifice, the empty tomb and the Risen King, 
the saving grace and the present rule of the Lord we adore. 
If our association helps to cure, not our differences, but our 
uncertainties concerning Him it will immensely increase our 
power. 

Then, besides association, we have co-operation in view. 
We are not here to sigh for it but to engage init. Go through 
the long list of the councils of the Church. They met to 
elaborate statements of doctrine, to proseribe the arts and sci- 
ences of men, to confuse and confound and condemn an- 
tagonists. They were councils of war selecting as points of 
attack not the forces of darkness but the honestly held 
opinions of the children of light. And for results? Fierce, 
scorching anathemas, hard fetters for human reason, decima- 
tion of the armies of God. With our present point of view, 
admitting in these councils some useful products, also some 
necessary purging, by means of bitter medicine, of the poison 
which floated in the blood of the race, bits of a severe process 
by which we have arrived at last at liberty, yet they seem a 
strange prostitution of high energies, a lamentable refusal 
to be ruled by the love of God, an appalling lapse from the 
method and spirit of God’s son. © 

How different’ our Council! We are met not for con- 
demnation but for co-operation. It is a suggestive word. 
Says a Seotch writer: ‘‘The universe is a system of ‘social 
forces. We do not know any solitary force; what we see are 
interesting and counteracting forces, finely balanced, deli- 
cately adjusted. ‘The universe is a living majesty of society.”’ 
Co-operation brings us into harmony with the soul of the 


WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL. a BST 


universe and the wish of Christ. It indicates a new method 
of warfare, a new perception of the foes to be fought, a new 
emphasis on duty. Our forces are to be combined, not an- 
tagonistic and not separated; sin, organized and individual, 
is to be cured; work is to be done, not theories to be formu- 
lated or defended. Ruskin says that controversy changes piety 
to pugnacity but a common task develops wholesome, effective, 
powerful fellowship. Government has the task of regulating 
human energies which get impatient of ethical trammels, the 
task of making laws which guard the justice of human com- 
merce, the task of training the intellect of youth. The man 
of business has the tasks of transit, lighting, water supply, 
general education through parks, museums, libraries and 
recreation centres. 

But the Church of the First-Born works at deeper levels 
and aims at higher things. It toils at the conscience and ideals 
the spiritual distresses and spiritual powers of the people 
from whom the government derives its just powers, from 
whom all industrial energy springs. The work of the Church 
upon the individual lightens the task of the government while 
ereating an atmosphere in which it can freely work and pro- 
vides the best incentive for all social endeavor. It teaches 
men the reasons and ultimate intention of commerce, educa- 
tion and government. And we are to remind ourselves that 
while we are to co-operate to save men we are not to forget 
man. Social tasks call for our united strength. The Church 
is to be supremely interested in the things of life—the sanctity 
of home, reckless divorcee, gambling, drunkenness, trade, labor, 
God’s day, immigration, all the forms of vice, all the forces 
of righteousness. We are to humanize life, socialize, Chris- 
tianize it, relieve its distreses, release its energies, take away 
the things that cripple it, loose it and let it go. And in such 
work we can act more powerfully together than apart. 

Out of our association and co-operation we may fairly ex- 
pect ‘‘inspiration.’’ The very difficulty of the tasks we 
jointly face will thrill us like a bugle note because we are 
united. The taste of triumph in advance will stir our pulses. 
The presence of the Master whom we honor by our hearty 
fellowship will make our hearts glow. New faith in His 


338 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


power will come to us as we put our ranks in order and sound 
the call for advance. A Harvard professor in pleading for 
loyalty to great causes assures us that loyalty to even lost 
causes is one of the potent influences of history for the reason 
that a lost cause is idealized by its failure and as an ideal 
becomes a permanent force. And he declares that the early 
Christian Church was at first founded upon loyalty to its 
own lost cause. A more complete reversal of the truth than 
that would be hard to formulate. The early Church was 
founded upon a triumph, not upon a defeat. The imagina- 
tion and faith of the Disciples were set free not by their 
agony but by their joy. They conceived their Lord not as 
absent but as present. They were sure of His ultimate tri- 
umph because they had discovered His transcendent dignity. 
The loyalty of the Church to Him has never been loyalty 
to.a defeated leader nor loyalty to a beautiful ideal. It is 
not now. 

These churches of Christ, here assembled, are not tributes 
to His memory. They are the spoils of His conquest, expres- 
sions of His life, proofs of His power, held in His hand. He 
is neither a dim memory nor a cherished hope. He is our 
living Leader, Captain of our hosts and Guest of our hearth- 
‘stones. We adore Him. Shall not our hearts burn and all 
these federated churches feel the thrill of a new spiritual 
passion as we exult in His Lordship and closely study the 
necessities of His work. Plans for joint action will be of 
immense value. But if in addition we could get a new devyo- 
tional ardor, a new response to the call and claim of Christ, 
a new perception of the danger of sin and the power of grace, 
a new baptism of flaming fire which shall result in a new out- 
pouring of luminous, persuasive, estatie utterance, then the 
world will thank God for our Council. 


~~" 


Breadth and Generosity in Welcome 


The Visible Actuality of a Federated Unity 
By THE Rey. A. J. Lyman, D.D.* 


A mighty and noble welcome you have given us to-night— 
a welcome as royal as the occasion of it is significant and 
memorable, unprecedented indeed in American annals—an 
occasion when delegates 
from not less than 
thirty of our great 
Christian communions 
in the land have enter- 
ed the gates you have 
flung so wide, and are 
assembled here in the 
first fully organized 
conference ever held of 
their newly created 
“*Mederal Council.”’ 

Your welcome bears a 
corresponding breadth 
and generosity. It is 
the supreme welcome 
of complete Christian 
brotherhood. It is the 
welcome also of this 
great city—a city which 
blends in its finest tra- 
ditions the sentiments of liberty and fraternity. These two 
chief candles of the Lord and of Philadelphia you have 
trimmed anew and set to shine by the door-posts where 
you bid us enter. It-is for us first to appreciate, then to 
justify so great a greeting. We pray God that we may not 
wholly fail to justify it. And, brethren, we do in some 


THE REV. A. J. LYMAN, D.D. 


*Pastor of the South Congregational Church, Brooklyn, New York. 
339 


340 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


measure appreciate it, as my honored colleague in this simple 
office of response has already, in beautiful words, so earnestly 
assured you. I can only echo and confirm his expression of 
gratitude. 
The chosen voices which have so graciously uttered this 
welcome, I have already come to know in other years and 
other associations as voices of neighbor and friend, and surely 
‘even in this city of renowned assemblies, never before have 
these or any other voices more nobly offered a richer hos- 
pitality. And what gives to it in our eyes a special and pre- 
eminent value is, that it unites the prophetic benediction of 


times gone by with the burning comradeship of to-day. For - 


this Council is not a casual phenomenon of the hour. Like 
the Scotchman, it ‘‘could not help being foreordained.’’ I 
cannot believe that the spirit of Church Fellowship and 
Union is, as some loosely assert, a new thing in the land. It 
could not be in such a land. It is not a new thing in 
Protestantism. i 

When Jonathan Edwards came jogging down from Stock- 
bridge to Princeton, he was prophet and herald of the coming 
fraternity, not only in American education, but in American 
religion. And perhaps certain astute brethren among our 
Protestant critics of Protestantism have not said quite the 
final word or quite the fairest word when they have identified 
Protestant liberty with sectarian vainglory, and magnified 
our divisions and dissensions. So do brother babies wrestle 
in the cradle, and afterward serve each other unto death. 
But nevertheless, it is high time for us to “‘put away childish 
things.’’ We could not have the precious things without 
their perils. Liberty is precious; yet even the liberty of the 
Lord hath arrogance at its door. Self-culture is a duty; yet 
in the most splendid self-development there is danger of 
selfishness. Orchestral harmony is not attained in a minute 
—even in Philadelphia, I suppose—if each instrument is to 
have its head and do its best. And so sectarianism, that 
counterfeit independence, that masked marauder, who mut- 
ters and mumbles about ‘‘sheep folds,’’ yet ‘‘climbeth up 
some way,’’ as our Master forewarned us, has skulked about 
our churches, stolen in upon our sacraments, and deceived 


SE a 


ae 


SE ee 


WELCOME TO THE COUNCIL. 341 


some of the very elect. There has been, God knows, too much 
*‘off-side play,’’ if you will pardon the phrase, more than 
too much of sectarian aggrandisement and animosity, and 
for it we humbly crave pardon of one another and of our 
Lord. But this has not been the main truth concerning the 
Protestant churches of America. It could not be; and I 
would not seek a higher platform even for such a shrine as 
this to-night, upon the threshhold of any such falsehood. 

American Protestantism has always been more united than 
disunited. We are not here to-night to debate a thing that 
doesnot exist. We are to develop a thing that does exist. I 
refuse to believe so little in the promised and instant presence 
of Jesus Christ with His Church—so little in the steady 
dynamie of Christian evolution—so little in the psychology 
of Christian liberty, aye—so little in the very atmosphere 
of the Republic, with its example of Federal Unity as its 
civil ideal, established by the earlier patriotism, and when 
challenged, confirmed by battle—I refuse to believe so little 
in all this, as to believe that your wonderful inaugural to- 
night is not the product of these deeper currents of Christian 
brotherhood in the land, by which all along God has been 
conducting our churches up to this very occasion and to this 
very hour. Our ships have not brought the tide, they are 
riding in on the tide, and the tide is old. 

And, therefore, honored brethren, your salutation is old, 
and precious because old. It embodies the dignity of age, 
long expectation, the thrill of faith’s fulfilment. You have 
been waiting by the posts of your doors. And yet while all 
this is true, while church fellowship has been steadily devel- 
oping, and its fruition drawing nearer, notwithstanding sec- 
tarian rivalries, there is still a difference between a rose-bush 
mostly buds and prickles and a rose-bush in full bloom. 
We believe that the time has now come to exhibit the bloom, 
not only the potentiality but the actuality of a federated 
unity in practical Christian work—a unity as broad as the 
land; and we shall wonder equally to discover how much of 
this co-operation we already have, and how much of it we may 
have. 

For since the matin of the new century struck, the whole 


342 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


process of federal unification has moved out into the light 
with the suddenness and the splendor of a Day of Pentecost. 

For there has come a new time upon the earth, a time of 
unrest indeed, yet of such wide hunger for spiritual truth 
that the bold words of the Archbishop of Canterbury, at the 
Lambeth Conference last summer, seem, in a real sense, true. 
I quote: ‘‘Men’s minds are more and more set towards the 
spiritual, even when they are set away from Christianity.”’ 

Just at this juncture, suddenly upon the Church of God 
has burst the full sense of the practical value of that dual 
maxim of the modern age—division of labor, yet co-ordination 
of labor. But more than that,—far more, with equal sudden- 
ness the varied activities of our churches and church com- 
munions have been flooded with a new and vivid passion as 
to Christ Himself, the one living spirit within all these myriad 
wheels of modern church economics. 

Your hand-grasp, therefore, is eloquent to-night of an 
immense new enthusiasm to make enthusiasm tell in practical 
Christian achievement, to get together, gloves off and fences 
down, for common work to develop a church of churches, a 
nation-wide, ecclesia of denominations each helping all in one 
great rush to save, to save real men in a real time. It is 
here that your greeting reaches for us its glowing summit. 
This new sense of Christ and united rescue work in His 
name is burning in a million souls. You are their spokesmen. 
You greet us as spiritual compatriots. Your greeting con- 
veys to us, therefore, not merely the blessing of the old pre- 
rogative ages, it conveys also the quiver of the wet oar’s 
blade, the swift comrade—clench of a hurrying rank of men, 
counting us in,—counting us in with you, on the instant 
errands of the Lord. 

Yes, O, my brothers, brothers of this city and community, 
whose Godspeed has made us solemn and happy to-night, you 
speak for Him, may I not say it? We feel that it is His 
welcome you are reproducing in your own, and we take your 
word as reaffirming His commission, and articulating anew 
His summons to our duty. 


Christian Unity on the Foreign Field 


Missionaries Quit Talking and Get Together 
By THE Rey. ArtHur 8. Luoyp, D.D., NEw Yorx.* 


I suppose that every man values the privilege of looking into 
the faces of thoughtful men and speaking his mind concern- 
ing that which all the rest are thinking about, but when a 
man has the privilege of 
being identified with a 
movement that has come 
to take possession of the 
earth and lift it up to 
be a fit place for God’s 
children to dwell in, 
then his words are not 
competent to describe 
his gratitude, and such 
a movement I take this 
Federation to be,—a 
sign of the time we live 
in, when the promise 
that Christ made is be- 
ing fulfilled for us, 
when he declared that if 
any man would do His 
will, he should know the 
doctrine. You and I, 
brethren, not only in 
ourselves but in our fathers have been striving to find out 
what our Father’s will is, that we might do it; and, lo, in this 
time suddenly there break forth many movements that make 
one tremble as he thinks of the possibilities that are wrapped 
up in them. Oics 


THE REV. ARTHUR S. LLOYD, D.D. 


*General Secretary of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 


343 


344 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Last week I had the privilege of standing before a com- 
pany of men in Boston. The greater part of them are called 
‘‘men of the world,’’ that is, men doing God’s work in 
counting houses; that is, men who used to be ealled doing 
secular work, whom every man now recognizes as the ser- 
vants of God, setting things in order for our Father. Those 
men met together,—you know what for. In order that they 
might find out how to fulfil their stewardship in their Fa- 
ther’s house. It is silently going; it makes no noise, like all 
the movements that last; but think what it means for Amer- 
ica and all its brain and all its courage and all its daring and 
all its impudenece in facing and compelling great movements 
shall be fixed on the one purpose to lift God’s children up as 
to-day it is fixed on reducing physical things to their obe- 
dience, for, my brothers, we can hear the sound of the hosan- 
nas at the end of the day when the brains of America are 
fixed on doing their master’s work. How could it but be, then, 
that, having come together to find out what should be done, 
that the churches—doesn’t it make us all a little ashamed to 
talk about the churches—should be getting together in this 
place to find out what is the reason they are wasting the Fa- 
ther’s energy and are not fighting as one company? Do you 
know the best sign of the time and the surest witness: of the 
day of faith of the Christians of this generation? Wherever 
you come into any company men apologize for being separated 
from their brothers and have ceased to boast of it. It means 
the coming of the Coming One, because that is all that re- 
mains to be done, you know. 

When I was quite a youngster I attended a great meeting 
of people gathered together from all over the world to dis- 
cuss what they called missionary operations. Do you know 
what was the burden of their talk then? That was not many 
generations ago. It was a justification and an apology for 
Foreign Missions. Did you ever have anybody in the last 
generation talk about apologizing for Foreign Missions? 

Ten years ago I attended another great meeting of the same 
sort. It was the greatest meeting in which I ever was present. 
Then I thought I never would again come into such a presence. 
Twenty-five hundred men and women who had seen their 


Ee See 


| i i il 


———— ee” CrCrtC~;<;73 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 345 


Master’s face. Do you know what the subject of that was? 
All the discussions, no matter in what direction they came, 
came back to this thing: Can it be done, this Foreign Mis- 
sion work, right now? There is being gotten ready a meet- 
ing in Edinburgh compared with which there never has been 
the like. That meeting in New York ten years ago was as 
kindergarten compared. Do you know what the subject of 
that whole conference is going to be? ‘‘How can Christian 
people get together and do the work.’’ Isn’t this meeting a 
sign of the times? Yes, my brother, we are getting together, 
because Ged wills it. 

And may I stop here to say we have no neddens to make 
for the past. I do not believe anybody would want to justify 
that which separated our fathers, but, as men speak, it would 
be a wise mind who could have found out how it could have 
been prevented. Nobody can sit down and say what might 
have been done in all these hundreds of years if we had been 
together, but any man standing to-night can look out and 
thank God for what has been done, each man doing that which - 
was God’s will as he understood it, but because our fathers 
were driven upon it—who knows but that it was in order that 
the family might understand of what the Father’s will is?— 
there is no reason why we should keep on standing off looking 
at each other as if we were afraid. I heard Bishop Graves of 
Shanghai once say a thing that I never have forgotten. He 
was talking about Christian unity, and he said: 

**My brother, you people here in America talk very lightly 


-and very slightly of Christian unity, because in a way when 
_we hear one man ‘called a Baptist and another man called a 


Roman Catholic and another man an Episcopalian and an- 
other man a Presbyterian, somehow you feel quit of any re- 
sponsibility for that fellow; it makes you comfortable. But 
when you get at the front and every man counts one, and every 
man knows his safety depends on the other man, he quits 
talking about What do you call yourself? and they get to- 
gether.’’ Sometimes I think that which Bishop Graves spoke 
of is at least an expression of human nature and our own lit- 
tleness is the reason that you and I stand off and look at each 
other from the corners of our eyes, as if the other man had 


346 . FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


something down in his pocket that the other man did not know 
anything about. 

Brethren, the unity of Christendom is coming. Why should 
not this be the time when all of God’s people begin to study 
what it is we must eliminate in order that the work may be 
done? And may I put in a parenthesis, that never can be 
done except by prayers to God, you know. All of us know 
that. Every heart here echoed that beautiful prayer that 
was said at this stand just now, but do not let us leave ort any 
of the family. There is never going to be any such thing as 
Christian unity until the Greek Church and the Roman 
Church unite with us. The Greek Church has a wall around 
it, sure. It is thinking in the terms of a few thousand years 
ago. So be it. The Roman Church is held by a tradition that 
it cannot break away from. It is hard for a man to confess 
he is wrong. But let us remember that some of the greatest 
minds at this moment that are working on the question of 
what is the meaning of that revelation the incarnation 
wrought, are within the pale of the Roman Church. Let us 
make our prayers that the family may get together, but do 
not let us leave out anybody. Think of the Roman Church 
in America. I know lots of them; you know lots of them. 
My experience is that Roman Catholics are just like other 
people,—Methodists and Baptists,—although very stupid be- 
cause they do not agree with me, but they are mighty good 
company just the same. 

The public school is a great institution, you know. Liberty 
must grow where the public school is. Let us have great — 
faith in what America will do, and let us pray God that all 
the family, not some of us of the family, will get together and 
deliver the message, so that the King may come back to His 
own. We can get together better, more easily, and we can 
begin, and I take it you know if all of us could get together, 
why, the other fellows would have to fall in line; they would 
not have any standing ground left. Why don’t we get to- 
gether? And we are beginning, because we have quit talking 
about the thing and have begun to do what we can; and the 
best think I know and the thing most full of hope is this; that 
together we have made up our minds that the best that we 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 347 


ean, God helping the poor little jealousy and weakness and 
covetousness of each one of us, we are going to get together 
and try to make our community sweet and let any man have 
the plum that can get it. How blessed that time will be! 

I hope I may live to see the time when what we eall in- 
stitutional work will be done by all the churches wherever they 
are, taken over to where it belongs, and the community will 
take charge of that while the pastors feed their flock. What 
a blessed thing it would be if an ordained man could quit 
doing chores and mourning over all the nostrums that people 
suppose are taking the place of the peace that Christ gives. 
Now, I believe, and you will excuse my egotism—and if I 
had an hour instead of ten minutes I could prove it to you— 
that when the time comes that we actually get to work, you 
people are going to come to me and say, ‘‘Lloyd, you have 
been right all the time. We are coming with you.’’ But the 
way you are going to find it out is not by quarreling with me, 
but by trying to outdo me for the King’s sake, for in doing 
we learn. 

But I was given a topic that you maybe thought I had for- 
gotten; that will illustrate in a way that nothing I can say 
will illustrate. Certainly that thing is coming to pass which 
every man longs for who values the truth more than to be 
right. It is suggested in the topic which was assigned to me 
as the second speaker, ‘‘Christian Unity as it is illustrated 
in the Foreign Missions.’’ I will tell you a secret: If I had 
seen that topic before I had said I would be here, I would 
have stayed at home; but two or three months after, in my in- 
noceney, I said I would be here, I received the topic. For 
two months I have been having that thing staring in my face. 
How in the name of sense is Christian Unity illustrated in the 
foreign field? Suppose I was to go over to Dr. Brown or to 
Dr. Carroll or to any of the rest of them and say: ‘‘See, now, 
how about this Christian unity in the foreign field?’”’ they 
would say! ‘‘ Where is it?”’ 

Brothers, on the surface it isn’t there, and I tell you 
the shock I had that I never expect to get over the pain of 
was when I came into China and into India and into Japan 
and found Christian people not a chaotic and unformed mass 


348 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


of individuals as I had thought of them as being, but as erys- 
tallized bodies of Christians calling themselves Baptists and 
Methodists and Presbyterians, just as loudly as we do and 
having not the remotest idea what they meant,—not the most 
remote,—and as I stood there and saw those people reaching 
out after the blessed truth that the Christ had revealed to 
them, and hampered and hindered, by the views that our fa- ° 
thers quarreled over five hundred years ago, I lifted up my 
heart in prayer to God for forgiveness for the whole lot of us. 
The idea! 

But that is superficial. There is Christian unity, and it is 
in the most beautiful way. Did it ever strike you why it is 
that a man who went out into China so perfectly dead set that 
if a man did not have the marks of an Episcopalian upon him 
that somehow he could not get into Heaven, came back home 
and did not even stop to ask anybody what he called himself? 
Did you ever stop to ask what made that? Did you ever 
see a man who went out to China that kind of a Presbyterian 
that knows that Calvin was the only man that ever had a 
revelation come back home again and talk to people with 
that kind of look in his face and that sort of tone in his voice 
that made you know absolutely that he was Christ’s servant, 
but you did not care what he called himself? Did you ever 
see that? Did you ever see a man who went out into the 
East a Baptist perfectly dead set and you committed sacri- 
lege if you let your little baby come into the church, come 
back home and put his arms around you and say, ‘‘God bless 
you! Bring your babies, all of them, in, if you want to?’’ 

Did you ever see a man do that, and ask what was the rea- 
son? I will tell you. These things cannot live out there; it is 
a pure atmosphere. All this folly that the devil has taught 
us to keep us back, you know, and keep us from saving God’s 
children must be forgotten out yonder. What is the reason? 
Because those people have not absolutely a single thing ex- 
cept the human instinct,—absolutely nothing but that. There 
isn’t a term you use that they understand. There isn’t one 
relation in your life that they ever dreamed of. There is 
not one aspiration that they understand. There is nothing, 
nothing. They have got to be taught everything that makes 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 3849 


your life and gives it the courage. And so, when a brother 
of another race comes to them with a message from the Fa- 
ther, thank God they cannot understand a thing he says ex- 
cept ‘“‘The Father,’’ and there is the unity of the church, 
isn’t it ,that down deep underneath all this stuff and folly 
we have built up on it the message of the Father is understood 


_ by His children, and it doesn’t make any difference whether 


he is a black man or a yellow man or a white man; the message 
of the Father is understood and all the rest of it with that 
Oriental philosophy they accept, yes, they accept and absolute- 
ly are unable to understand. 

The best reason I ever heard a man give for being a Metho- 
dist while I was in China, and I asked lots of people, was that 
Mr.—I have forgotten the man’s name,—but the man had 
interpreted Christ to him. I went over to Washington with 
Dr. Brown and some others to talk to the Chinese Minister 
about something we wanted done in New York, and we told 
him of the boards that were engaged in this particular enter- 
prise; and he said: 

““Where are the Congregationalists?’’ 

We explained that their office was in Boston. 

“Oh, yes,’’ he said; ‘‘ they will be in it, won’t they?’’ We 
explained that the Congregationalists would be there, too, and 
after we got through I asked him: 

““What made you so interested in the Congregationalists?’’ 
He said, ‘‘ Everything I know in the world and everything I 
have got and everything I hope for the Congregationalists 
taught me. That is what makes them that.”’ 

Is that what makes you so, brothers? Let us quit it. And 
when you think of how the nations are-moving, and when you 
think how the whole earth is aspiring, and when you think 
that there is no country under heaven to-day that is satisfied 
with the height to which it has climbed, and when you think 
of the dreams that we are dreaming of what civilization may 
become, do you not think it is possible for us to learn a little 
lesson from that simple fact? 

T tell you about the Eastern. brothers, if they cannot under- 
stand anything that we bring except that which is in deed and 
in truth the message of the Father to His children, bringing 


390 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


them hope, is it not worth while for us to emphasize just a 
little more what-is kin in our teaching and what is essential 
and what will remain after all the accidents are taken away, 
not in order that we may gain applause, but in order that we 
may unite all the Christian strength of this great Nation for 
this one purpose, to bring to the people the light, the message 
of life, and a message of liberty and a message of hope, with- 
out which there can be no such thing as civilization, but hav- 
ing which no burden is heavy enough to hold a man on the 
ground, because he is made in the image of his Father? 

I stood speaking on some other topic, and I ventured to 
speak to a number of clergymen who, I suppose, represented 
every kind of thing that any American could devise, and I 
had the impudence to say: ‘‘My brothers, what is the matter 
with our making a compact with one another and for twelve 
months beginning with the first Sunday in Advent make a 
compact with our own selves and each man refuse for twelve 
months to preach one single sermon defending or defining his 
pet theological definition, but every man preach every Sun- 
day trying to make men understand the meaning of the in- 
carnation of the Word of God. By the time next Advent 
comes what, then, would be? Why, you would all come back 
to me, my brothers, and say the Church’s orders must live, 
because the Church’s order justifies the truth of the Church’s 
sacraments. For the rest, we will agree to serve God after 
the fashion that our minds find its best interpretation, but 
with one army, with one brain, we will sweep the field. When 
the truth about a man was shown to the earth and hope came 
down from God, when the word was spoken that made a man 
know he could be possessed of himself and could be stronger 
than his environment,—as we stand inspired by the picture of 
a man as God thinks him, as we are thrilled by the words 
spoken, that we may come to be like that, I say it, there is but 
one means by which we can testify our gratitude to God. By 
His help we will go do it, and the light will shine in the dark 
places and the men that are bound will go free, and the song 
of the children brought home again will make the sorrows for- 
gotten and the King will come back to His own. Christian 
unity is the only thing waiting before the last task is per- 
formed and all the battles are ended. 


Christian Unity on the Foreign Field 


Possible, Desirable, Practicable and Actual 
Mr. Ropert BE. SpPeer.* 


I wish to speak of three points. First, the considerations 
which calls us to Christian unity on the foreign field and 
which indicate its possibility ; second, the kind and degree of 
unity to which these considerations call us, and, third, the 
measure in which this unity has been attained. 

First, with reference to the considerations which indicate 
that Christian unity on the foreign mission field is both de- 
sirable and necessary. I would suggest five. 

In the first place, the magnitude, the difficulties and the 
urgency of the work demand the most fruitful and effective 
use of all our resources for the missionary task. We have 
to evangelize a thousand millions of our fellow creatures, that 
is, to carry spiritual truth, the most difficult of all truth to 
carry, to two-thirds of the human race; and not only to per- 
suade men to embrace this truth, but to place their characters 
under the transforming influence of the Lord of this truth. 
We have to do this not in any one land or in any uniform 
set of conditions or in any one language. It has to be done 
under very trying climatic conditions, conditions that break 
down the health of many strong men and women; it has to be 
done in many scores of languages which have to be expanded 
_ In order to express this truth and against difficulties beyond 
the reach of our imagination here. The task is too great and 
too difficult, as the late Bishop of London wrote to my friend, 
Mr. W. H. T. Gairdner, for any one Christian body to hope 
to accomplish. Even if that one Christian body might hope 
to accomplish it in many generations, we can not wait for it, 
for these multitudes are passing away and before they pass 
are entitled to know of the Lord who died for them, and no 


*Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian 
Church, U. S. A. 


351 


352 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


one denomination has a right to claim the whole world as 
its preserve, the generations to wait until it can compass them 
all in its own denominational name. The need is too urgent. 
There are, moreover, great forces astir throughout the world — 
that will not wait for their permanent die and stamp. If we 
do not seize them in this generation and claim them for God, 
they will set and harden in permanently atheistic form. The 
magnitude of the missionary enterprise, the difficulties and 
the urgency of the task forbid all waste and efficiency. 

In the second place, the elementary needs of the nen-chris- 
tian peoples to whom we go call primarily for what is funda- 
mental and essential in Christianity. The great evils of the 
world are impurity and inequality and hopelessness. The 
world does not know the character of God and therefore it 
is unclean; the world does not know the love of God and 
therefore men are not brothers; the world does not know the 
life of God and therefore men despair alike of the present and 
of the future. And these three things, the character of God, 
and the love of God and the life of God, are not the things 
on which we disagree. They constitute the great fundamental 
and elementary things in Christianity, and it is for these 
and not for any of the points about which we are at variance 
that the world primarily calls. : 

In the third place, the simplicity of the missionary aim in- 
vites unity and shows to us how indispensable unity is. The 
great aim of the missionary enterprise is the naturalization 
of Christianity in the national life of the different non-chris- 
tian peoples. It is not the extension there of any particular 
view of Christian truth or any particular form of Christian 
organization. I belong to the Presbyterian church, but I have 
not the slightest zeal in seeking to have the Presbyterian 
church extended over the non-christian world. I believe in 
one Church of Christ in each land. I believe that it is far 
more important that the Presbyterians of Japan should relate 
themselves to the Methodists of Japan than that either of 
those bodies should retain any connection whatever with any 
ecclesiastical organization in the United States. We may be 
very slow in recognizing this here at home, we are so slow that 
many of us are prepared altogether to deny it, but the great 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 353 


body of our representatives who have gone out to the other 
side of the world recognize that it is so. 

What was said here this afternoon is sadly true, that it is 
_the money subsidies by which we maintain our separate or- 
ganizations in Asia which are in some measure responsible 
for the perpetuation of those organizations, and when the 
day comes that we throw these great bodies of Christian be- 
lievers independently on their own support, and pass over 
into their own hands, as we must whether we will or no, the 
control of their own ecclesiastical government, we may be 
slow to assent to Christian unity here, but believe me, the mo- 
ment that day dawns Christians will pour together in great 
nationalistic organizations in their own lands. I do not say 
they will not break apart again, but when they do the shame 
of their division will rest upon themselves and their denomi- 
nations will spring out of reality and not out of alien and im- 
ported traditions. The simplicity of the missionary aim not 
only shows us not only how desirable and practical, but also 
how indispensable and necessary unity is. 

In the fourth place, we are already agreed, all of us here 
in the evangelical churches of the West, on the intellectual 
basis that is necessary for such unity abroad. We believe in 
one God and Father of us all, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, 
and in one Holy Spirit, and in one Bible, and in one Faith, 
and in one Salvation. We have got already in these great 
common convictions an adequate basis of intellectual agree- 
ment for our enterprise there. We differ perhaps as to the 
symbols in which Christianity expresses itself and as to the 
institutional forms in which it is embodied, but we are all 
agreed as to the spiritual principles which are expressed in 
these symbols and embodied in these institutions, and I be- 
lieve that agreement in these spiritual principles is the funda- 
mental and essential thing, and that even in a great united 
Church when it comes there will be room made for some dis- 
agreement as to our symbols and our institutional forms. We 
are agreed enough, I say, in our common intellectual convic- 
tions, regarding the fundamental elements of our Christian 
faith to make union out in the non-christian world an en- 
tirely practicable thing. 


304 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


The one other suggestion that I have to make under this 
first head is that the Occidental character of our divisions 
makes it unnecessary that they should be imported into the 
non-Christian world. Our divisions here, we will grant, have . 
their own historic value; they root back into great experiences 
of our fathers, and perhaps we do right in cherishing them 
and in letting them go with great slowness. But we will do 
better to let them go. And those great differences are not 
native to the lands to which we carry the gospel on the other 
side of the sea. Thank God, there are many of them that 
you cannot transport there. I remember reading a little while 
ago in a Methodist paper published in the city of Shanghai, 
a lament of a certain Methodist missionary that there was not 
one vclume of theology available for the Methodist churches 
in China that was not tinctured with Calvinism. I rejoiced 
as I read that complaint, and I hoped that it might also be 
true that there was not one volume of theology available for 
the Presbyterian missions there that was not tinectured with 
Arminianism, and, more than that, that did not have a very 
heavy saturation of it. You cannot transport to these other 
lands our divergent intellectual views on Christianity such 
as separate the Arminian and the Calvinistic parties in the 
West. The Oriental mind will not be responsible for the 
perpetuation of such divisions. The great things that keep 
us apart here do not root down to what is fundamental in 
Christianity or universal or really transportable; they root 
only into those things which are Occidental and superficial 
and that we could not transport and make genuinely native 
to these non-Christian lands if we would. The Occidental 
character of our differences invites us to union abroad. 

Now, in the second place, to what degree and kind of unity 
do these considerations of which I have been speaking sum- 
mon us? In the first place, they call us to a union manifestly 
that shall prevent all waste and friction ; for all friction is dis- 
loyalty to Christ, and all waste is disloyalty to the world. 
All friction is disloyalty to Christ because it argues another 
principle superior to His principle of brotherly love and un- 
selfishness, and all waste is disloyalty to the world because 
it denies to great masses of our fellowmen a gospel that might 


ee 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 355 


be carried to them if there were no waste and duplication and 
overlapping. The considerations of which I have spoken de- 
mand of us a kind of union that will prevent all waste and 
friction on the foreign field. 

But, more than that, they call not only for an avoidance 
of collision, they call for the presence of a co-operation that 
bids us to say to one another not ‘‘ Hands off,’’ but ‘‘ Hands 
together.”’ They command us not to divide that we may 
march separately, but to draw near that we may march to- 
gether. The great things that are to be attained in the world’s 
evangelization cannot be done by companies of Christian men 
who agree to differ; they can only be done by great compan- 
ies of Christian men who relate themselves for common and 
united action. Not only do these considerations demand that 
we should avoid negatively the things that impair the effi- 
ciency of our efforts, but that we should provide positively the 
things that make our efforts more powerful and more effec- 
tive. 

In the third place, these considerations call not only for this 
external form of co-operation of which I have spoken. I 
am one of those who believe that they call for the most liv- 
ing and real and spiritual unity. And I believe this, first 
of all, because this was the kind of unity for which our Lord 
prayed. I hear men say now and then that what we need on 
the mission field——and that we need nothing’ more—are 
fraternal relations. Our Lord did not pray ‘“‘that they all 
may be one as John and James are one, or as brothers are 
oné,”’ but, ‘‘that they all may be one as Thou and I are one.”’ 
The kind of unity for which He prayed was not a unity of 
fraternity, not a unity of relationship of men externally bound 
to one another. The ideal that He held out was not the ideal 
of the unity of human brotherhood, but the ideal of the unity 
of the Godhead itself; and because I believe that was the 
kind of unity for which our Lord made His prayer I believe 
that is the kind of unity that should be our ideal on the mis- 
sion field. 

And I believe this not only because I believe that this was 
the kind of unity for which our Lord prayed, but also be- 


cause any other kind of relationship among Christians mis- 


356 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


represents His Gospel. You can not express one God in a 
split church. The Gospel is a message of a one God, of a 
one Saviour, of a one human family, and until we have got 
that embodied in a great human symbol that speaks of a 
unity as real and complete as that, we have not got a symbol 
that represents correctly the great Gospel of the Saviour of 
all the world. And I believe in this corporate oneness, in the 
third place, because until we have that kind of unity our Gos- 
pel never can put forth its full power. You must give Christ 
a body in which He can express Himself to the one humanity 
that He came to save. You must give the Holy Spirit a chan- 
nel through which He can pour Himself out over the whole 
world that He came to keep in the salvation and the purity 
of the Saviour. And until we have a oneness like that our 
Gospel will go lame and halt and never can have the fullness 
of that divine power for the world’s conviction which our 
Lord Himself said it would have only when at last His peo- 
ple had arrived at a unity perfected into one as He and His 
Father were one. 

And now, last of all, to what extent has this degree and 
kind of unity been attained on the foreign field? In the first 
place, we have in no small measure desisted from importing 
into the various foreign fields our denominational titles and 
proprietary claims. Happily, there are some of them that 
cannot be translated. By God’s great merey, the Chinese 
language will not lend itself to the translation of many of 
these names. You cannot translate the word Presbyterian — 
or the word Methodist or the words Protestant Episcopal into 
a great many of the heathen languages; the languages have 
no such terms. You can transliterate them and then teach the 
heathen what the names mean, but they have no words that 
correspond to those and can serve as translations for them. 
Happily, even in the lands where such terms exist, the mis- 
sionaries have often been wise enough to thrust them into the 
back-ground. It was agreed at the outset in the Philippines, 
for example, that the evangelical churches should bear one 
common Christian name. If anybody wanted to throw in a 
little parenthesis at the end perpetuating the western denom- 
inational name they could do so, but the outstanding conspicu- 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 357 


Ous name was one. The same agreement I believe has been 
reached in Korea, and in many other lands from the very be- 
ginning our western denominational titles were not known. 
And while here and there a particular missionary institution 
may bear some proprietary title, yet for the most part it is 
known as the mission hospital, or the mission school, or the 
mission press, and no particular name is tied to it to create 
distinctions in the minds of those who may know of it. First 
of all, then, we have made a long step in advance in leaving 
behind us the names. Abandon the names, and the ideas that 
the old name embodied will sooner or later fade away. 

In the second place, we have long accepted territorial di- 
visions. Bishop Cranston was right in what he’said this af- 
' ternoon, that in almost all of the mission fields now Chris- 
tian bodies recognize the superior obligation of this body to 
this territory, and avoid all overlapping and duplication. We 
have not reached the goal as yet. There are lands, like India, 
where there are many things left undone, still to be done in 
this matter, but for the most part over all the non-Christian 
world the principle of a territorial division of the field is well 
understood. I think there are very few Christian bodies who 
would not assent to if not go beyond the words of the Lam- 
beth Conference of 1887: ‘‘That in the foreign mission field 
of the Church’s work where signal spiritual blessings have at- 
tended the labor of Christian missionaries not connected with © 
the Anglican community a special obligation has arisen to 
avoid, as far as possible without compromise of principle, 
whatever tends to prevent the due growth and manifestation 
of that ‘unity of the Spirit,’ which should ever mark the 
Church of Christ.’’ And there are very few missionaries 
now, happily, who are not of the same mind with Alexander 
Duff, who years ago declared that he would as soon leap into 
the Ganges as he would to take one step to entice a Chris- 
tian believer away from another Christian body or to do work 
that fell in the natural.sphere and was the duty of any other 
Christian organization. We have come, I think, to a pretty 
general acceptance of the principle embodied in the resolu- 
tion proposed by Dr. Duff and adopted at the Conference held 


358 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRis?, 


in New York in 1854, on the occasion of Duff’s visit to Amer- 
ica: 

‘*Resolved, That considering the vast extent of the yet 
unevangelized world of heathenism, and the limited 
means of evangelization at the disposal of the existing 
evangelical Churches or societies, it would be very de- 
sirable that with the exception of great centres, such as 
the capitals of powerful kingdoms, an efficient pre-oceu- 
pancy of any particular portion of the heathen field by 
any evangelical church or society, should be respected 
by others and left in their undisturbed possession.’ 

In the third place, the different Christian bodies in the © 
foreign field have come, in the main, to recognize the ordi- — 
nances and the acts of discipline of other Christian organiza- 
tions, so that if in any one territory men are baptized, they 
are baptized for the territory of other churches also; so that 
if in any one territory acts of discipline lie upon agents of 
that native church, the validity of those acts is regarded in 
other Christian organizations whether adjacent or far away. 

In the fourth place, we have come on the mission field to 
an advanced union in the spirit of prayer. Our Week of 
Prayer sprang from the foreign field. It was in its inception 
a great appeal in prayer for the pouring out of God’s spirit 
upon the unevangelized world. The great united prayer 
movements from that day have usually been related in one 
way or another to the foreign mission field. Appeal after ap- 
peal has gone out within the last ten years on the mission 
field to missionaries of every name to unite themselves in great 
bodies of prayer. I doubt whether there is any one object in 
the world for which as large a volume of prayer is rising to- 
night all over the nations as for this one thing, the unity of 
Christendom in its representation of Christ to the non-Chris- 
tian world. I read again the other day a noble appeal for 
prayer thoroughly representative of scores, published seven 
years ago in Japan by two of the Bishops of the Anglican 
Church. I venture to read it now because of its illustration 
of unity and because of its appeal to us to-day. Bishop Foss 
and Bishop Awdry ealled us to 

‘*Penitence for any wilfullness, prejudice, wordliness or evil 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 309 


temper in ourselves or our predecessors which may have help- 
ed to bring about a condition of Christendom so different from 
that for which our Lord prayed. 

““Prayer for such change and enlightenment of our own 
hearts as may help toward the undoing of this great evil— 
for the graces of wisdom, humility, sincerity, unworldliness, 
self-control, and open mind, reverence for others who sin- 
cerely disagree with us, complete subordination of our self- 
will to the will of God, a firm hold on truth, a spiritual mind 
—in short the mind which was in Christ Jesus. 

*“Prayer for the removal of obstacles—in, the character of 
professing Christians, in heredity and other prejudice, in 
narrowness of views, in special shibboleths, in unworthy rival- 
ries, in exaggerated attachment to non-essentials. 

“Prayer for a fuller outpouring of the Holy Spirit in His 
various powers, and for a more ready recognition of the work 
of the Spirit in others in whom the ‘‘ Fruits of the Spirit’’ are 
apparent. 

“Thanksgiving for the growing sense of sin in regard to 
our divisions, and of longing for unity; and for the better 
hope which this gives of the world being won to believe in the 
mission of our Lord Jesus Christ.’’ 

I see in this gathering volume of prayer a hope for the re- 
moval of the most massive obstacle in the way of the union of 
Christendom. I mean the conscientiousness of Christian peo- 
ple. It has been the case from the beginning of the world 
that the greatest evils have rooted themselves in the con- 
sciences of men. ‘‘The day will come,’’ our Lord told His 
disciples,’? when those who kill you will think that they do 
service unto God.’’ We hide ourselves behind what we call 
our conscientiousness of principle, as though that were an 
adequate reason for our delaying the day of the unity of the 
Church. My friends, some of the heaviest crimes that have 
been done against the life of humanity have been done in the 
name of conscience. The very thing that we stand most in 
need of to-day is such a searching of the eyes of God upon our 
inner life as will reveal to us the moral color blindness, the 
obliquity of vision, the distortion of judgment and the miscon- 
ception of His spirit in our own hearts, which stand most in 


360 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


the way of the unity of the body in the life of our Lord. 
And we shall never have that exposure, that revelation of 
our own misguided conscientiousness until we come in prayer, 
in great humility and self distrust, to the fear that where we 
think we stand, we may have fallen worst, in His sight, whose 
eyes can search us and show us the truth within and the truth 
without. 

In the fifth place, we have come in many lands to the es- 
tablishment of little bodies of men authorized by those whom 
they represent to adjust questions of difficulty, to settle points 
of conflict and friction. We have in America, you know, 
now, established by the annual conference of the foreign mis- 
sion boards and ratified by all those boards, a little committee 
of conference and counsel, representing all these boards, 
gathering them together into one, to which any question of 
separate judgment can be referred. The great missionary 
conference in Madras in the year 1900, established a great 
court of arbitration and appeal for the whole land of India, 
and appointed representatives of forty different missionary 
societies on the committee to organize that court. Twenty- 
five of these societies approved of its establishment, and we 
have now in India one great central court of arbitration, with 
seven provincial courts from which any questions can be ear- 
ried up, that there may be no unseemly strife among brethren. 
But we have gone far beyond this appointing of committees 
to adjust differences on the mission field. In five or six of 
the great mission fields there are committees on co-operative 
work now that bind together men and women and great or- 
ganizations to do a common task. Missionaries have arranged 
not only to refer to some central body questions of divergence 
of view that may arise, but also to bind their missions together 
in one common united work. 

In the sixth place, there are illustrations of this co-opera- 
tion that present themselves at once to your thought, in or- 
ganic union in different missionary enterprises. I can count 
twenty different institutions, three of them theological in- 
stitutions, where different denominations have united them- 
selves to support those institutions in common and to carry 
on together the work which those institutions represent. We 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 361 


have in China now all the medical missionaries gathered in 
one medical association, all the missionaries in educational 
work gathered in one educational association. And the or- 
ganic union extends not only to educational and medical in- 
stitutions and publishing enterprises like our common Chris- 
tian hymn book in Japan—it extends to churches. We hesi- 
tated this afternoon to assent to the proposition that the 
elimination of denominations abroad as far as possible was 
a desirable thing. Well, I do not see why we need to be so 
slow to ratify what has been done and what is going to be 
done in spite of us anyhow. I know of nine cases now where 
they have been already eliminated. There have been three 
great eliminations in Japan. The Episcopal Churches of 
Great Britam and America are now one in Japan. All Pres- 
byterian and Reformed bodies have been one in Japan for 
twenty-five years. All the Methodist bodies were made or- 
ganically one in Japan a year or two ago. There is scarcely 
a mission field where there have not been instances of this 
organic melting together of different denominations. In 
every country where the Northern and Southern Presbyterian 
churches of this land are working, outside of the United 
States, they are working as one organic church. In this 
Christian land we are two. In every heathen land we are 
one. Over in India, I think it was mentioned in the report 
presented by the committee to-day, three or four years ago 
all the Presbyterian and Reformed churches and the Calvin- 
istic Methodists came together in one great Church of Christ 
for India, and only this last year the Southern section of that 
ehurch separated from the rest with the good-will and ap- 
proval of the rest, in order to unite with the English and 
American Congregationalists of South India and make a 
larger union numerically, a larger union in the inclusion of 
different types of denominations, although for a little while 
it made a smaller union geographically. But it was done as 
a step to the larger union yet to be. And an even wider unity 
is proposed than the consolidation of cognate denominations. 
The conception of a visible corporate oneness of the whole 
Church is increasingly dominating the thought of great bodies 
- of missionaries. In Japan at the last great conference in 
1900 it was resolved: 


362 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


““This conference of missionaries, assembled in the city of 
Tokyo, proclaims its belief that all those who are one with 
Christ by faith are one body; and it calls upon all those who 
love the Lord Jesus and His Church in sincerity and truth, to 
pray and to labor for the full realization of such a corporate 
oneness as the Master Himself prayed for on that night in 
which He was betrayed.’’ 

And the Centenary Conference in Shanghai spoke out in 
yet more comprehensive and commanding conviction: 

‘“That this Conference unanimously holds the Seriptures of 
the Old and New Testaments as the supreme standard of faith 
and practice and holds firmly the primitive apostolic faith. 
Further, while acknowledging the Apostles’ Creed, and the 
Nicene Creed as substantially expressing the fundamental 
doctrines of the Christian faith, the Conference does not adopt 
any creed as a basis of church unity, and leaves confessional 
questions for further consideration ; yet, in view of our knowl- 
edge of each other’s doctrinal symbols, history, work and char- 
acter, we gladly recognize ourselves as already one body in 
Christ, teaching one way of eternal life, and calling men into 
one holy fellowship; and as one in regard to the great body 
of doctrine of the Christian faith; one in our teaching as to 
the love of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy 
Ghost; in our testimony as to sin and salvation, and our 
homage to the Divine and Holy Redeemer of men; one in our 
call to the purity of the Christian life, and in our witness to 
the splendors of the Christian hope. 

‘We frankly recognize that we differ as to methods of ad- 
ministration and church government. But we unite in hold- 
ing that these differences do not invalidate the assertion of 
our real unity in our common witness to the Gospel of the 
grace of God. 

“That in planting the Church of Christ on Chinese soil, 
we desire only to plant one church under the sole control of 
the Lord Jesus Christ, governed by the Word of the living 
God and led by His guiding Spirit. While freely communi- 
eating to this church the knowledge of truth, and the rich 
historical experience to which older churches have attained, 
we fully recognize the liberty in Christ of the churches in 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 363 


China planted by means of the Missions and Churches which 
we represent, in so far as these churches are, by maturity of 
Christian character and experience, fitted to exercise it; and 
we desire to commit them in faith and hope to the continued 
safe keeping of their Lord, when the time shall arrive, which 
we eagerly anticipate, when they shall pass beyond our guid- 
ance and control.’’ 

And so they go on to provide for the day, which they 
hope to be near, when there shall be no Church of Christ 
Presbyterian in China, and no Church of Christ Methodist in 
China, and no Church of Christ Episcopal or Baptist in 
China, but one Church of Christ with no qualifying adjec- 
tives whatever. 

It is no enmity to our past to believe that it did not ex- 
haust God. I do not see any disloyalty to the past in believ- 
ing that God means the future to be better than it. Unless 
the past has made ready for a better future, the past was a 
bad past. Only those things are good that make ready for 
better things to come after them, and those men are disloyal 
to the past, not who believe that it made preparation for 
greater things, but who believe that all the great things are 
in a golden age gone by. The worst disloyalty to the past 
is to mistake it for the future. Very great and glorious that 
past has been, but that past will have failed to teach its les- 
son to us, that past will have failed to fulfill its mission in 
the will of God if it binds men forever in the chains of its 
institutional forms, unless it has made them ready for larger 
and completer things and led them on to such a unity as 
Christ Himself, we must believe, longed for while He was 
here and waits for now where He is gone. 

The younger men—and I know their heart well—have their 
own day coming, and when their own day comes you may be- 
lieve that that unity will be near. They do not believe that 
loyalty to their fathers who went before them means dis- 
loyalty to their sons who are to come after them. They be- 
lieve in ringing out an old that has fulfilled its end, and ring- 
ing in the new and the larger things which are in God’s will 
for His Church, if, like the path of the just, it is to shine 
brighter and brighter unto the fullness of the day. 


Christian Unity at Home and Abroad 


‘‘Powerful Blessings’’ of a New Order 
By tHE Rev. Grorce H. Frrris.* 


I remember when I was connected with a church in New 
York we were assisting a colored church in the South and the 
pastor came back for more assistance. He said: 

‘“We had a powerful blessing last year. We baptized fifty 
members of the Methodist Church and busted it all up.”’ 
That kind of ‘‘powerful blessing,’’ I believe, is becoming a 
thing of the past. 

I heard at our Conference a thing which pleased me, it was 
that no church has a right to exist that does not stand before 
the world for something more important than unity. I would 
change that to say for something as important as unity, for 
I question whether there is anything more important than the 
_ carrying out the prayer of our Lord at the end of His life 
‘‘that they may all be one.’’ There is something that occurs 
to my mind as important as unity, and that is freedom. They 
are the two foci of Christianity, unity and freedom, and our 
problem is simply how to attain both. That is all. We live 
in an age of unity. Competition is giving away to co-opera- 
tion, wasteful expenditures are being eliminated, cut throat 
rivalries are falling day by day and it is unavoidable that this 
spirit should strike the church. We cannot remain for ever in 
splendid isolation. 

There was an old Greek tradition of a heaven where the 
gods sat in isolation and talked to one another from icy peak 
to icy peak all around Olympia. Too long have the churches 
sat amid their glaciers and ragged precipices of prejudices 
looking at each other over chilly gulfs of separation. That 
sort of thing must go. We need one another, to enlarge each 
the other’s vision, to supply each the other’s needs. There are 


*Pastor of the First Baptist Church, where a simultaneous meeting 
was held. 


364 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 365 


more and more people every year, who are saying ‘‘all who 
speak truth to me commissioned are, all who love God are in 
my church embraced. 

This is not the first time that the first speaker of the even- 
ing has spoken in the church in which I was pastor. He was 
in New Haven and one time he spoke in my church on the 
subject of church unity. If he should repeat that speech I 
would not do with him, what I heard was done with a man 
who ran on the Republican ticket down South and received 
two votes and then was accused of repeating. I want to intro- 
duce to you the Rev. Dr. Levi Gilbert of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, Editor of ‘‘The Western Christian Advocate,’’ 
of Cincinnati. 


Growth of the Spirit of Unity 


Protestantism a Unified, Aggressive Force 
By THE Rev. Levi Gwzert, D.D., Litt.D.* 


I have often thought of the policy of John Wesley, who 
started a church, not upon speculation, for he had almost 
an excessive disdain for creeds, saying that they were about 
as idle as beads upon a 
string. He founded his 
movement upon practi- 
eal religion, upon devo- 
tion, upon love of 
Christ, upon service to 
others. It was a Bibli- 
eal creed, a_ practical 
one, and gave a basis of 
co-operation for all 
Christians. Said he: 
““If thy heart be as my 
heart give me _ thy 
hand.’’ 

In the World’s Con- 
gress of Religions in 
Chicago they had that 
wonderful text embla- 
zoned in the audience 
room: ‘‘Have we not 
all one Father? Hath 


THE REY. LEVI GILBERT, D.D. 


not one God created us?”’ 

So as a body of Christians we can say: Have we not all 
one Christ? Hath not one Redeemer saved us? And that . 
text, that speaks of one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, 
one baptism and one God and Father of all, who is over all 


*Editor of ‘‘The Western Christian Advocate,’’ Cincinnati, Ohio. 


366 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD, 367 


and through all, and in all is a magnificent, thrilling and in- 
spiring text. 

Sometimes from hostile sources comes a criticism of Pro- 
testantism because of its numerous denominations. Cartoons 
show the banners of the Baptist Church, Methodist Church, 
Congregationalist, Presbyterian, etc., and underneath the 
words, ‘‘But which is Christianity?’’ The implication was 
that we were so divided up into sectarianisms that the great 
truths of the Gospel had been forgotten. It is said, too, that 
these divisions completely negative all our influence. On the 
contrary, I say that Protestantism is as united as Roman 
Catholicism. Roman Catholicism is united externally and 
under a single head, but, as any one knows who has looked 
into the matter, it is divided into as many various schools of 
polity and theology as is Protestantism itself. We can truth- 
fully sing: ‘‘ We are not divided, all one body we.’’ We are 
united on the things which are essential and the things upon 
which we agree are vastly more important than the things 
which appear to separate us. As Doctor Kelley said: ‘‘The 
least of all the things that unite us is more than the greatest 
of the things which divide us.’’ They err, too, who represent 
Protestantism as a mere negative thing, as if we were en- 
gaged all the time simply in protesting against something 
else; as if we were simply putting ourselves in an attitude 
of negation. It is true that Luther protested, and we have 
protested all along since against all superstitions which vitiate 
Christianity and which have superceded the plain Gospel of 
the Evangelists; and, perhaps, the time has not gone by yet 
for much of a protest along that line. But we have done 
other things. We have put positive emphasis upon the real 
principles of the Gospel as they shine out in their beauty 
in the Bible from the lips of Jesus. It is, too, a wrong to 
misrepresent the tendency of the principle of private judg- 
ment which we as Protestants have maintained as against the 
autocratic utterances of some religious potentate to be ac- 
cepted servilely. This principle of private judgment is some- 
times spoken of as leading directly to anarchy and agnosti- 
cism. It may possibly be pushed to extremes but, historically, 
it has not been so. We have kept ourselves within our moor- 


368 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


ings and our anchor still holds upon the great primitive 
truths of Jesus Christ. 

Much has been made in previous centuries of the variations 
in creed between the different bodies of Christians. It is a 
cheap kind of a thing to my mind to ridicule the ecreedmakers 
of the past. They stood and battled for the truth of the liy- 
ing God, for the revelation in Jesus Christ. They marked 
great eras of thought and the historic creeds of the church 
show where the battle line was waged and where the victory 
was won. And all honor I say to those men who, even in the 
heat and passion of the hour, struggled for the truth and de- 
fended Jesus Christ until those truths have been established. 
We need not be fighting them over and over again. We 
know where heresy lies and we know where truth hes, and 
now let us go on and establish truth. 

It is a practical advantage that we believe in applying 
the Gospel and we say that a Gospel which is not applied 
is a Gospel which is denied. It is no derogation to our time 
to admit we have not the subtle intellects of the time that 
made the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds. It is not against 
us that we do not spin out such rarified theological theories as 
did the Scotch. There was a time, as you know, when the 
creeds were divided and sub-divided into innumerable defi- 
nitions and articles, and doctrine after doctrine was elab- 
orated almost to the extreme; and these very articles of the 
creeds were made conditions of salvation. They were intel- 
lectual through and through. They appealed simply to the 
mind. If a man assented and gave subscription to them he 
was saved. If he had any diffleulty about them, and could 
not suppress his doubts, he was condemned to damnation. 
Salvation and damnation depended on accepting or repudi- 
ating a creed. It was entirely metaphysical. 

You have heard the definition of metaphysics which a cer- 
tain Scotchman gave and which might apply to the intricate 
ereeds when they were made tests of being Christians: 
When asked, ‘‘ What is metaphysics?’’ he said, ‘‘ Weel, when 
a mawn gets to argooin oop an’ oop, and doon an’ doon, till 
nae one kens whawr he is an’ he dinna ken whawr he is him- 
sel’—that’s metapheesics,’’ J haye said before I do not de- 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 369 


nounce those creeds. They were good as an_ intellectual 
showing where the truth might le, but ought never to have 
been imposed as tests of Christian life or discipleship or as 
conditions of membership in Christ’s church. 

You have perhaps heard of the Scotchman who got to argu- 
ing passionately upon some of the questions of theology. 
There was a taciturn neighbor sitting at their table smoking 
his pipe. By and by the disputants got so excited they waked 
up a dog lying at their feet, who rushed out and began to bark 
vociferously, whereat the silent neighbor said: ‘‘Keep still, 
you brute; you don’t know any more about it than they do.’’ 

Going once into a Scotch village, a stranger said to a vil- 
lager: ‘‘How many Christians are in this place?’’ The man 
answered: ‘‘Only two, me and Jamie Sutor, and I sometimes 
hae me doots about Jamie.”’ 

‘We are getting to see that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is 
far simpler than a set of metaphysical puzzles. We are ring- 
ing the changes upon the simplicity of the Gospel, not upon 
it subtlety. If you should ask some good man who is going 
to church and trying to love his neighbor and serve Jesus 
Christ how to define the atonement, the Trinity, the inspira- 
tion of the Bible and to separate one theory from another, he 
would be floored immediately. These distinctions do not 
enter into his mind from one year’s end to another. They 
do not make any contribution to his life’s forces. They do 
not help him to be good. Jesus Christ came and His Gospel 
is broad and simple. He defined it: ‘‘ Love the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy 
mind and with all thy strength and thy neighbor as thyself.’’ 
St. James gave this adequate definition: ‘‘Pure religion and 
undefiled is to visit the fatherless and the widows in their. 
affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.’’ 

You have sometime heard of the good honest German, who 
was wanting to join a church and they brought him before 
the session and commenced to ask him all sorts of questions 
about the atonement, inspiration, and the Trinity; but he 
only stared stupidly at them, until, by and by, one of the 
questioners turned toward him in some contempt and said: 
** Anyhow, we hope you love the Lord Jesus Christ.’’ And 


370 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


the good German immediately cried out, as his face lit up: 
‘‘Yah, yah! Ich liebe Jesus!”’ 

I rejoice in the fact that the great Presbyterian Church 
has taken such broad ground, namely, that whatever subscrip- 
tion of creed may be required of their ministers, for the laity 
there is but one thing necessary and that is to confess loyalty 
to the Lord Jesus Christ. I would say that was the only 
test we might put to any one in any of our churches. Let 
all the churches come together on that one confession. The 
test is not to be on the creed, because men must think differ- 
ently and divide into different philosophical schools. We can 
have the conviction of love to the Lord Jesus Christ. The 
confession of Jesus Christ is found in the life which is like 
His, in following in His steps, in offering obedience and in 
‘serving his brethren, according to His own exposition: ‘‘In- 
asmuch as you did it unto one of these my brethren, even the 
least, ye did it unto Me.’’ 

Well does Longfellow ask: 


‘¢Must it be Calvin and not Christ? 
Must it be Athanasian creeds, 

Or holy water, books and beads? 

Must struggling souls remain content 
With councils and decrees of Trent? 
And can it be enough for these 

The Christian Church the year embalms, 
With evergreens and boughs of palms, 
And fills the air with litanies?’’ 


No, the emphasis must not be put upon creedal forms and 
elaborations of metaphysical theologies but upon the life 
which is the true confession.”’ 


‘<Por others a diviner creed 
Is living in the life they lead, 
The passing of their beautiful feet, 
Blesses the pavement of the street 
And all their looks and words repeat 
Old Fuller’s saying, wise and sweet, 
Not as a vulture, but as a deve, 
The Holy Ghost came from above,’’ 


Just as it is with creeds so has it been with various denomi- 


: 


' =") 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 371 


nations growing out of the creeds. They have had historical 
backgrounds and incentives and each denomination has stood 
for something vital and essential, some aspect of the truth, 
not, perhaps, sufficiently magnified elsewhere. As Christians 
we might wish to-day that we could begin again, begin with 
more unity and not have quite so much separation. We will 
say now that there ought to be, if not union of the various de- 
nominations into one great body which seems a little far 
of and not, perhaps, a thing to be worked for or prayed for 
unless it comes naturally, bringing together of the smaller 
bodies, which have separated from the larger denominations, 
so that we shall have just a few great denominational families 
representing great crucial principles. Let the various Meth- 
odists come in and join one great Methodist body and let the 
Baptists and the Presbyterians do the same. The churches 
are getting nearer and nearer together. All are rejoicing 
that the old schisms and dissensions are passing, or have 
passed altogether. Who is not glad that the old bigotry is 
passing and is pretty well obsolete. My father used to tell 
me that when he was a boy, he would go in the morning to 
the Dutch Reformed Church and hear the Arminians thor- 
oughly gone over from the pulpit; but in the afternoon he 
would go with his mother to a Methodist church, and there 
the tables were turned and the Calvinists came in for their 
share. Let us rejoice that that day has vanished. 

I have read the revised Presbyterian creed and I could sub- 
seribe to it as a Methodist. In the opinion of many the Pres- 
byterian Church is setting the pace to-day in the revival work 
in which Methodists have hitherto been foremost. There 


should be no jealousy in view of success in such work, but 


there should be Christian rivalry and emulation in the whole 
work for the salvation of man. There was once a Roman 
Catholic priest in Ireland named Father Bray. He was a 
very witty old man and not very learned. At one time at a 
public dinner, Earl Spencer, thinking to have a little sport 
with him, turned and said: ‘‘Father Bray, we understand 
you are a very learned man. Won’t you please tell this 
company what is the difference between the cherubim and 
seraphim ?”’ 


372 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIS’. 


‘‘Whist,’’ said Father Bray, ‘‘there was a bit trifle of 
a difference between them some time ago, but it is all made up 
now.’’ 

There are a number of things which have been bringing 
us together. In the first place, we have all put Christ in the 
center. Our theology is Christocentric. To our eredit, it 
ought to be said we are not so much discussing Jesus Christ 
as we are trying to follow him. He does not ask us that we 
should make definitions and imprison Him in them. We can- 
not do that. He is greater than any of our definitions. 
When we thing we have elucidated Him, confined Him in dia- 
grams, we know we have failed. He does not ask us, I say, 
to understand, comprehend and define Him. Rather, He 
says, ‘‘Follow Me.’’ To-day, putting Jesus Christ in the 
midst and having in Him a common basis for our belief, we 
all of us are gathering around Him and drawing together. 
We are all delighted to follow our Leader and obey our 
Master. 

Another tendeney which is uniting us is the impulse in our 
modern times for a renewed study of the Bible, a critical and 
reverential study. I have little sympathy with the alarmists 
who imagine that modern methods of investigation are influ- 
encing men against the Old Book or rendering it less sacred. 
It is being studied by hundreds and thousands of the growing 
generation with new ardor and enthusiasm. 

I think that ministers have been brought nearer to each 
other by their fraternization. They mix with each other very 
socially for the interchange of ideas and there is scarcely a> 
book that comes from the theological press but all clergymen 
of whatever denomination buy it and consequently they all 
get to thinking on the same lines. I read the other day about 
a man up in Canada, who went into a church and thoroughly 
enjoyed the sermon and the whole service. But when he ~ 
came out a horrible revelation came to him; he had been in a 
Unitarian church and did not know it! As editor I have to 
examine the periodicals of all denominations and creeds from 
all over the world, and it is borne in upon me constantly, as 
I read the Roman Catholic and Jewish and various Protestant 
journals from the United States and all over the world, that 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 373 


the things we are striving after are fundamentally the same 
—the things of righteousness, the uplift of the human race. 
Differ as we may and broadly as we do, the heart and pur- 
pose of all are the same. Our Sunday-school movement has 
brought us more closely together. The Young Men’s Chris- 
tian Association is another. The Laymen’s Movement is 
still another. This latest movement is one that ought to 
inspire hope and confidence into every pastor’s breast. We 
are seeing multitudes of laymen rising up and proposing 
magnificent plans for the Church that almost take our breath 


away. When the laymen deliberately say that next year’ 


it is possible for us to raise three million dollars, and the year 
after four million, and the year after five million, and the next 
year six millions for missions, it rather stuns us. We preach- 
ers do not dare to smile—because we might fear being smiled 
at if we made such seemingly impossible proposals—because 
they are laymen and practical men. But the plan is not 
absurd, and let us believe they are going to do it. In the 
Methodist, Baptist and all other churches these laymen are 
rising as a mighty host and forming themselves into mission- 
ary society. The Sunday-school superintendents are banding 
together. The various brotherhoods are drawing into co-opera- 
tion and planning great social and redemptive campaigns. 
The Temperance movement is uniting us all into one great 
League. It is a glorious day we are living in, one to give 
heart and hope to every worker for Jesus Christ. 

Then, again, we are not only brought together by these 
various movements and the practical work of political, indus- 
trial and social reform which lies before us, but we are con- 
federating in the foreign mission fields. It is my intense con- 
viction that we do not want to carry our little divisions over 
to the converts from heathenism and perpetuate them there. 
What is the use of trying to explain the differences between 
the Methodists and the Baptists and the Presbyterians and 
all others to the Chinese? We cannot instruct them in the 
details of our differences, if we wanted to. It would require 
a course in historical theology. We could hardly get these 
distinctions into the heads of Chinamen. What would be the 
use of it? Let them take the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ. 


374 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Let them be without complications, without the metaphysical 
variations of the past. If they take the New Testament 
and build on that, it will be enough. 

As far as the foreign territory is concerned, why should 
there be any unseemly scrambing between the various de- 
nominations? Why should there be overlapping in our sup- 
ply of the needy districts? We want the whole country 
thoroughly evangelized, no part overlooked, but giving to each 
church what each can do thoroughly. If there be one field 
among the heathen harder than another and less inviting in 
promise of results, that is the one any true church of Christ 
should covet. We ought to rejoice each in the success of 
the other, for the victory of one is the victory of all and the 
hardship of one is the concern of all. 

Why’should we feel envious when one cheats seemingly 

‘‘gets ahead’’ of another? I remember in one of my parishes 
in Duluth, where the spirit of competition was rife in that 
new city at that time, one of my members came to me and 
said, ‘‘the Presbyterians got in thirty-five additions yester- 
day ; you have got to get a move on you.”’ In Seattle, where 
they had a Methodist church in a new addition in the pine 


woods, it became a question as to whether the Methodist. 
Episcopals or the Methodist Protestants had got there first.. 
I think there was a difference of two hours. I said in our. 
preachers’ meeting: ‘‘There’s a lot of country around here. 
unoceupied; and if these brethren want to take that place 


why not let them have it?’’ But my position was counted 
heretical—almost traitorous to my church. This world is a 


mighty big affair, and there is room enough for us all, and. 
we want to map out in concert the work that needs doing and. 


make the proper and best assignments. We are doing so 
in the Philippines and in Porto Rico, and we want to asso- 
ciate ourselves thus all over the world. 


A bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Chureh las in 


West China said he met a company of missionaries who came 
together to do him honor and to greet him. They assembled 
from the surrounding country and among them he saw a 
Roman Catholic priest. He was frankly astonished in seeing 
him easily mixing in with the Protestant missionaries. He 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 375 


openly expressed his surprise to the priest, when the good 
father replied: “‘Oh, sir, over back there the things which di- 
vided us seemed to be big and important, but when we get 
out here, facing all the superstition and ignorance, they fade 
eut and do not amount to anything at all.”’ 

Lately, in a Roman Catholic exchange, I saw an editorial 
which summoned Roman Catholics and Protestants to cease 
criticising each other, to co-operate practically and put up a 
combined defence against the atheism, materialism and an- 
archism of the day. We need a combination of all the Chris- 
tian forces against the anti-Christian combinations arrayed 
against us. Upon the face of it, I say, that was a grand ap- 
peal and I pray that some day, in God’s great future, purged 
of all superstition and error, that great Roman Church may, 
indeed, clasp hands with our Protestantism in active work. 
Then there shall be in that one great irresistible host standing 
against all things opposing our Christ and His cross. 

We have in America a frontier yet, although it is rapidly 
diminishing. We have flooding in upon us millions of immi- 
grants, and sometimes we do not know quite whether the 
native born have the dominance here in America or not. I 
saw the other day a newspaper story representing Patrick- 
McGinnis speaking to his wife Bridget and saying, ‘‘This 
warrd uv ours is the most cosmopolitan warrd in the city, I 
believe. There’s as many as a dozen nationalities here. 
There’s Eyetalians, an’ Roosians, an’ Jews, an’ Germans, an’ 
Scandinavians, an’ Bohemians, an’ Hungariaans, n’ Chinese, 
an’ Japs, an’ Frinchmen, an’ Dutchmen, an’, an’ one more— 
Well—begorrah, it’s gone from me.’”’ ‘‘Oh,’’ said Bridget, 
“‘perhaps it is Amerikins.”’ ‘‘Yis, yis, Amerikins—that’s 
it.’ That is about the way it seems in our great cities like 
Cleveland and Chicago and New York. Not long since I saw 
in print a brand new nationality, and it was spelled something 
like ‘‘Krejmer,’’ but where they came from, or who they. 
are I have not the faintest idea. We have got a great problem 
on our hands with these people. ewes, 

The other day in one of our ministerial meetings, one man 
said: ‘‘We have no duty to these people, they are foreigners, 
and do not speak our tongue; and they are Roman Catholics 


376 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


also.’’ I said, ‘‘Suppose they are. Suppose there would 
not be the ghost of a chance of. converting to Christianity 
Russian Jews, much less making a Methodist of them. Never- 
the less they are men and women and upon the basis simply of 
common humanity and in the spirit of Good Samaritanism, 
we have an obligation to minister to them. They are citizens 
here, brethren of ours, and we are to raise them up into com- 
fortable conditions of life and make them a free people in 
a free country. The public schools are doing a wonderful 
work in the spirit of Christ. In the school, Heinrich and 
Pierre and Bili and Hans and Jacques are all mixed together 
as if in a ealdron, and they are being stirred with a great 
educational stick; and from the alembie results the future 
American. Those young fellows graduating from the old 


school-room will not have the old bitterness of the Jew and 


the Christian against each other, or of the Protestant and 
Roman Catholic. They will glory in being each and all 
Americans and in standing under the folds of the glorious 
American flag. Sometimes we think the American bird of 
freedom has too miscellaneous a dish set before him to mas- 
ticate and digest, but he is doing it in pretty fair shape. In 
the city of Cleveland a boy was attending the public school. 
He was unwashed, uncombed, and wore rather dirty and slat- 
ternly clothing. The teacher remonstrated with him and at 
last sent him home with a note to his mother. After a few 
days he came back washed up, his face shining as with hand 
sapolio, his hair smeared down with grease, a new suit of 
store clothes on, and his whole person simply deluged with 
cheap perfumery. And he bore this note from his mother, 
which said nothing more than this: ‘‘Smell him now!’’ 

We are trying to renovate and make over again these vari- 
ous nationalities that are coming to us. We have a great 
social problem. Some say the Church’s only business is to 
’ save souls, forgetting that what we want to do is to save 
men and women and not discarnate, disembodied spirits. 


And we must find a way of approach to them. In order to 


make them willing to listen to the Gospel, we must get them 
in condition to receive it. To furnish pure water, good sew- 


age, recreation parks, decent wages paid, and opportunity 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 3i7 


afforded for breaking away from surroundings of drink and 
social vice so that lives can be lived decently—all this is the 
Church’s business. : 

Some time ago I listened to a long paper by a learned judge 
about the decisions of the courts on the labor situation, and 
at the conclusion I said: ‘‘Judge, you have not even yet told 
us the way out.’’ The judge answered, ‘‘There is no way 
out that the lawyers know, nor that the courts know.’’ The 
only way out is the religious way. Only as men shall learn 
to love each other and live according to the Golden Rule, in 
the spirit of Christ, will there be any solution of the diffi- 
culty. I pray that the spirit of brotherhood may increase 
between laborers and capitalists, and that after awhile we 
may actually realize the truth of Burn’s noble song, “‘A man’s 
a man for a’ that.”’ 

During our Civil War a soldier lay dying on the field of 
battle, and a chaplain came his way and began his spiritual 
ministrations. But the soldier moaned and murmured, 
“‘Water, water!’’ The chaplain went away and filled his 
cap with cold water and refreshed the soldier. He com- 
menced again to read to him from his Bible, but the soldier 
whispered, “‘I’m so cold.’’ The chaplain took off his coat 
and covered him, and again essayed to comfort his soul. But 
the soldier complained, ‘‘I suffer so, I am in such pain.’’ 
The chaplain then bound his wounds and made him as com- 
fortable as he could. Then the soldier looked at him and said: 
“Mister, if there is anything in that book that makes a man 
do what you have done for me I want to know it.’’ That is 
the way, by ministrations, by practical help and sympathy, 
that we shall lift our brothers up, and as we love them they 
will get a glimpse of the Love eternal that is above them. 

We want to have united organization against that gigantic 
evil of our day, the iniquitous liquor traffic. We are awake 
in the Buckeye State. Every day brings the ringing news 
of victory. Sixty counties have voted dry, only nine have 
gone wet. We are going to clean up the whole state, and. 
Indiana is going to follow and the whole central west will be 
devoted to temperance. In a late brewers’ convention they 
said: ‘‘We must stop the ministers. We must choke off those 


8378 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


ministers who are forever preaching on prohibition.’’ But 
that is a rather impossible task. 

We are working there as I know you are here for pure 
politics. God be praised for the new patriotism, for the 
kind of men who are coming to the very front, not like some 
politicians of the past, who wriggled themselves by duplicity 
and chicanery to the top of the column of liberty. Men like 
Hughes and Hanley and Folk and Johnson are the men we 
want to honor. They have been glorious examples of straight- 
forwardness, efficiency and integrity. 

True religion is not exactly like John Bunyan’s representa- 
tion in Pilgrim’s Progress, where Christian runs from the 
City of Destruction to save himself alone, but leaves his wife 
and children behind him; and he stopped not .an hour in 
Vanity Fair to speak a saving word of warning to those 
frivolous and foolish dissipators there. We are seeing that- 
Christianity is not individualistic but corporate. It means. 
the establishment of the Kingdom of God everywhere, in. 
every department of life—domestic, social, educational, com- 
mercial, political—wherever men work and labor and struggle. 
God’s will must be done in Heaven and on earth. The New 
Jerusalem is progressively coming down from Heaven. Jesus 
Christ came preaching not ‘‘ Repent, for if you do, I promise 
you Paradise.’’ Rather, He eried, ‘‘Repent, for. the King-. 
dom of Heaven is at hand. I am here to organize it, to -per- 
meate all institutions with the divine spirit, to regenerate. 
this world, to bring it back to the Father, to institute sweeter 
laws and customs and make possible a clean life among the 
millions of the race. I want those to enlist under my banner 
who would help me in this. You cannot do it as long as 
you are handicapped by your vices.. Leave them. behind you 
and then come and follow Me for the redemption of hu- 
manity. Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’’- 

Brethren, there are many, I am convinced, who would 
respond to such an appeal as this. It- would strike a chord 
in the chivalrous breast of many men of to-day. There are those - 
who, when the appeal to accept Christ is made, reply care-: 
lessly : ‘‘I will take the chances, I do not want you to worry 
about me. Do not be concerned. But I say in reply: ‘‘I am . 


CHRISTIAN UNITY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD. 3719 


not so concerned about your individual welfare but about the 
use you should make of your life for others. I want you 
to give yourself in service to humanity and make the most of 
yourself in doing good.’’ If they will do that, all will be 
well. Let the millions of the laymen of the Christian Church 
come to church, not simply to hear a sermon and then go 
home and criticise the minister. My friends, there is a far 
more serious problem than that before us to-day. What is 
wanted is to go into religion with the same force that is put 
into business. Then it will be a succes. We do not need to 
waste time debating as to the age of Methusalah, or the size 
of the Ark, or where Cain got his wife, or whether the whale 
swallowed Jonah. We don’t want to spend hours discussing 
atheism, agnosticism, secularism, pantheism. We are doing 
a great work and we cannot come down. I do not know how 
moral evil got into the world. Let our crities tell if they can. I 
know it is here and as a practical thing we are to join Jesus 
Christ in destroying the works of the devil, and shoulder to 
shoulder let us keep at it until the Millenium dawns! 


Mr. Ferris then introduced the Rev. Arthur S. Lloyd, D.D., 
General Secretary of the Board of Missions of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church, who spoke of the supreme importance of 
Christian unity and illustrated the hindrance that comes from 
lack of this unity by calling attention to the present condi- 
tions in the East, where Christians are rapidly crystallizing 
into separate organizations with no other reason for the same 
than that people who had brought to them the Revelation 
called themselves by the names that the native Christians 
had adopted. 

He closed by begging people to remember that in praying 
for unity one would do well to make a point of including all 
of God’s family, since there is no such thing as Church unity 
to be thought of as possible that did not include the Greek and 
Roman Churches. 


Home Missions and Evangelism 


How a University President Views the Subject. 
By Harry Prarr Jupson, LL.D.,* 


In taking the chair to-night by courtesy as your presiding 
officer, it is by no means my purpose to make an address. 
The addresses will follow, and yet perhaps I may be pardoned 
if I speak a few prefa- 
tory words. — 

We are gathered here 
to-day in Philadelphia 
representing some score 
or two of Christian 
churches out of the 
many in our land, and 
as we look one another 
in the face, I fancy you 
find it as hard as I do to 
tell which is which. As 
we look around the 
country and study the 
diversities among our 
various organizations, it 
seems to me that these 
differences fall in the 
main under two general 
heads. They are differ- 
ences in sqme forms of 
speculative theology on the one hand and in the next place 
they are differences in the form which we prefer to give to 
our respective church organizations. In short, we differ in 
what? In metaphysics and in machinery, and that is all. 

Well, now, as to the first of these points, difference is abso- 


HARRY PRATT JUDSON, LL.D. 


*President of the University of Chicago, and Chairman of the Popular 
Meeting in Witherspoon Hall, December 4. 


380 


ae 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 381 


lutely inevitable as long as human nature remains human na- 
ture. You cannot get this body of men to agree on points 
of metaphysics. Many of us are like the old Presbyterian 
Imight of Hudibras—my Presbyterian friends will pardon the 
allusion. You remember the bold Hudibras ‘‘could distin- 
guish and divide a hair ’twixt south and southwest side.’’ 
We could all do it more or less in our theology, and it is very 
comfortable, therefore, that we have these different forms of 
church organization where we can each rejoice in his own 
particular kind of metaphysics and that cannot be changed. 

Again, so far as the structure of our church organizations 
go it seems desirable that we should have different forms 
to suit all the different kinds of ideas in this republic of ours. 
Now, in my own church, the Baptist church, we manage to get 
along with great peace and comfort without any bishop. It 
does not follow that we have not the greatest respect for those 
other churches that enjoy the institution of the episcopacy,— 
for them it is an excellent institution; we do not criticize it. 
But, on the whole, isn’t it well that each should be able to go 
his own way? In a free country nothing else is possible. 
Therefore, the idea of Church amalgamation, it seems to me, 
is entirely chimerical. 

But, if we turn to the other side of the picture, we find 
that all these different Christian churches in point of at least 
one or two of their great final ends in this world, that is, the 
bringing about and preserving of social righteousness, are 
practically absolutely identical; and if so, then and there our 
diversity becomes a misfortune, because the scattering of our 
resources, the breaking up of our energies into a multiplicity 
of different organizations, simply fritter away our energies, 
weaken their force and largely destroy the efficiency of” 
Christian people in our land. Then it becomes our duty, it 
seems to me, to find out wherein we can unite to accomplish 
these common purposes for which God’s Church was founded 
on this earth. That is what the Federal Council means, as 
I understand it; and may I say to the Executive Committee, 
what we want is for it to show us some way in which we can 
do that. 

May I say one word more? It is often said that in our 


382 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


churches the vast majority of those who attend are women, 
and that men are scarce. I have seen the day in a Christian 
church when, in fact, a man has felt, well, somewhat like an 
island in an ocean of femininity. Is that because women are 
better than we are? I don’t think so. Their ethical stand- 
ards are as good as ours; whether they are better, I don’t 
know. They are different, that is the main point; and here, it 
seems to me, is the essence and the reason why the men do not 
flock to the churches. 

Why, gentlemen, in our churches we do not give a man a 
man’s job, to put it in plain English. Stop and think. In the 
old days the Church had what? Besides the exercise of wor- 
ship, besides developing the spiritual life, it had what? It 
had charge of the whole field of education. It had charge of 
the whole field of charity. It practically controlled states- 
manship and polities, every one of which to-day to all intents 
and purposes has been taken over by the State, leaving the 
Church to a far narrower field.. Now, if we give our men the 
kind of things that men are accustomed to do in their busi- 
ness, in their professional life, for the Church, those things 
they will do, and the men will be found in any numbers 
enough to do them; and, therefore, I say—may I say to the 
executive committee—what we want, I believe is to show us 
the way towards certain specific tangible things on which we 
can unite and which we can do more efficiently together than 
divided, and things of large moment, dealing with great prob- 
lems of human nature and social life, that draw out all the 
best forces of our entire Christian bodies, men, women and 
children, together to do the work of God in this world. Here 
the Federal Council has a great field. 


Evangelism the Message for the Hour 


Fervent Plea for a Church of Yearning Souls 
By THe Rev. CHarues L. GoopELn, D.D.* 


In whatever way you look at it, the gathering of this great 
Federal Council is most.significant. Whatever form our dis- 
cussion may take, we are at heart concerned with only one 
question, the spreading 
of that glorious evangel 
which challenged the 
Son of God and consum- 
ed Him with its passion. 

Whatever theological 
differences we may en- 
tertain, we are coming 
to understand that the 
chief obstacles to the 
spreading of vital 
Christianity, are not of 
the head but of the 
heart. We are persuad- 
ed that the amount of 
time given to apologet- 
ics In pamphlet and in 
pulpit is really out of 
all proportion to the 
relative importance of 
the theme. The supreme 
questions that confront us, are not of theology, but of reli- 
gion; not of theory, but of life. The secret of the Lord is 
not with those who speculate, but with those that fear Him. 

We have passed through an epoch of criticism and it has not 
been without its value. The great foundations of faith stand 
unmoved. The testing of our weapons has proven them to be 


*Pastor of the Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church, Manhattan, New 
York. 


THE REV. CHARLES L. GOODELL, D.D. 


383 


384 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


of celestial temper,—the time has now come to use them with 
a stout arm and a mighty faith. I would not minify the value 
of sound doctrine, but a doctrine may be only the skin of 
truth. It is only when a living soul enshrines the truth, that 
it comes to be of power. In the old castle at Warwick, you 
will see the dinted helmet and breast-plate of Oliver Crom- 
well. It is but a useless relic and only the fussy caretaker 
keeps it from the gnawing tooth of time. But once the good 
round head of Oliver was under that helmet and his stout 
heart beat under that helmet and his stout heart beat under 
the breast-plate. Then there was power in them and thun- 
dering down at Dunbar to the shout: ‘‘Let God arise and let 
His enemies be scattered,’’ they were invincible. 


The message for to-day, is not so much the critical as the - 


evangelistic message. President Mackenzie, of Hartford, has 
well said, ‘‘Evangelism is the only true regenerator of the 
human heart, the only cleanser of the nation.”’ 

I make a plea for the evangel in the place where it is most 
needed, in the round of daily life. I plead for the revival of 
home religion; for the setting up of the family altar. We are 
too busy for our devotions, but in that we are unmindful of 
history. Our Pilgrim Fathers knew that that would be a suc- 
cessful day which was bounded on the east by supplication 
and on the west by thanksgiving. We are off to business and 
our children off to school without the uplift of spiritual com- 
munion,—but Martin Luther used to say, ‘‘Prayer and pro- 
vender hinder no man in his journey.’’ No evangelism will 
be better than that which has its center in the home circle. 
A solicitude punctuated with tears is not soon forgotten and 
many who strayed into a far country are brought back to 
home and God by the strong tug of a love which never failed. 

In our church work, the call of the hour is for something 
that will bridge the chasm between the institutional and the 
spiritual. The aim of the Church is not fully reached when 
it becomes simply a purveyer of amusement. The nexus be- 
tween the parish house and the prayer room is a soulful 
Christian pastor, or layman, whose steady personal solicitude 
makes the institutional to take on the spiritual meaning and 
so becomes an inspiration to a better life. 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 385 


The imperative call is for Christian enthusiasm. ‘‘Ian Mac- 
Laren’’ who has but lately passed into that unseen holy to- 
wards which all men hasten and who will not be accused of 
thoughtless intensity, has left for us a message we do well to 
heed: ‘‘A man may be keen about many interests, but of all 
things, he ought to be keenest about religion.’’ We are indul- 
gent to enthusiasm in many departments. Why should polite 
toleration for any man’s hobby harden into persecution, when 
his mania is the Kingdom of God? Why should a gladiator 
or a foot-ball player, be sane and St. Paul be mad? The 
world is quite likely to call an enthusiastic Christian eccentric. 
What is eccentricity but motion from a different center? If 
anyone believes that the Kingdom of God will remain when 
this world has disappeared like a shadow, then he is right to 
fling away all that he possesses and himself to further its ad- 
vancement and victory. 

We hear much about social discontent, we see evidence 
enough of its presence in the body politic. What we need as 
an antidote to it is a divine discontent in pulpit and pew and 
an unrest on the part of the Church that will not be satisfied 
until it has thrown its self without reserve into unselfish ser- 
vice for its kind. It is the self-satisfied Christian who is a 
mill-stone about the neck of evangelistic progress. — 

Socialism and labor reformers are showing us a passionate 
idealism and are setting us an example in their propaganda 
that should startle every Christian heart,—and the greatest 
contribution which the Church can make to the settlement of 
the world’s needs, would be to contribute from its own life, 
the spirit of Jesus to the settlement of those questions which 
stir our age. Shall Socialism surpass us in devotion and 
Science usurp the Church as the herald of immortality ? 

We have come to a fateful hour. We must join issue with 
ease, indifference, materialism, skepticism and outbreaking 
sin. If we are heartless and laggard, the ancient curse which 
fell out of Heaven will smite us full in the face: ‘‘Curse ye, 
Meroz, said the Angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly, the in- 
habitants thereof, because they came not to the help of the 
Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.”’ 

Before we can do evangelistic work, we must have the 


386 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


evangelistic heart. To gain that, it would seem to be neces- 
sary simply to catch His spirit, whose name we bear, as He © 


walked among us in the flesh. His characteristics were all 
compressed into a single sentence: ‘‘He had a passion for 
saving the lost.’? In a single chapter, He gives us the story 
of the lost coin, the lost sheep, the lost son, and it all leads up 
to the sublime declaration: ‘‘The Son of Man is come to seek 
and to save that which was lost.’’ His devotion was to the ut- 
termost and so it happened that the world has had but one 
Christ and it will never need another. May I ask what right 
we have to bear His name if we do not share His devotion? 

Tn our time a man’s fortune is made if he can save anything 

that is being lost. By-products once wasted, make men rich. 
The rag-picker mounts from hovel to palace, the dump heaps 
of the mines are making fortunes. If one had the cotton 
seed that has been dumped into the Mississippi, he would be 
a millionaire. Edison plied the shovel and the bar to little 
effect in the low grade fields of Jersey, but he winds an elec- 
trie coil around his iron bar and the wasted metal is yielded 
up by the relenting sand. We have been building monuments 
to those who could massacre the most. In the cathedrals of 
Europe and in the parks of America, you will find ten monu- 
ments to those who have destroyed their kind to every one of 
those who have brought the world light and life; but a better 
day is dawning. Seven years ago when France made up its 
list of Immortals, Napoleon, the greatest of butchers, headed 
the list, but last year it made another roll of its noble men, 
and Pasteur, the saviour of human life, stood first. There is 
another Book which has the list of God’s Immortals and above 
that list it is written: ‘‘They that be wise shall shine as the 
firmament and they onde turn many to righteousness as the 
stars forever and ever.’ 

I make my plea to-night for a Church of yearning souls. 
A wise man has said: ‘‘No heart is pure that is not passion- 
ate, no virtue is safe that is not enthusiastic.’’? In my round 
among the churches, I have met many facing toward Em- 


maus and traveling alone, I have found comrades of the 


Leaden Heart and knights of the Juniper Tree, but I covet for 
us all membership in the Society of the Burning Heart, the 


7 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 387 


same Society that the travelers to Emmaus joined before the 
night fell and whose members lit the world with their glowing 
light. It was true of the Master: ‘‘The zeal of Thy House 
hath eaten Me up.’’ We might well examine our own hearts 
to see if we have something of His temper. In the old days: 
“*Zeal for power consumed Cesar, and the love of praise con- 
sumed Cicero, and lust consumed Anthony.’’ Why should it 
be a thing incredible that love of souls should fairly consume 
the heart of the Church? When the Master went to prayer, 
He went with strong crying and with tears, and Moses pray- 
ing to God for a rebellious people who even then threatened 
his life, cried out in his yearning: ‘‘ Forgive their sin, and if 
not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book.’’ Paul shared his 
Master’s spirit and cried: ‘‘I could wish that I myself were 
accursed from Christ for my brethren’s sake.’’ In all the ages 
since that time, it has been through the agony of yearning 
souls that the Church has won its victories. We hear Brainerd 
erying out: ““I wrestled for the ingathering of souls; I was in 
such an agony from sun half an hour high until near dark.”’ 


_ Jowett in his little classic, ‘““The Passion for Souls,’’ gives 


chapter after chapter that is enough to stir the heart of the 
dead. You will remember how Finney betaking himself to 
prayer lost his strength but gained his power. If we are to 
speak with tongues of fire, we must have a heart of flame. 
The object of a yearning heart is the winning of the world 


_ to God. To be equipped for that, we must sit at the feet of the 


great Teacher. I take it that we are all ready to listen to His 
words to His disciples: ‘‘I will make you fishers of men.”’ 
Jowett quotes the quaint words of Isaac Walton in the pre- 


-face of his ‘“‘Complete Angler’’: ‘‘To thy reader of this 
~ discourse but,especially to the honest angler,”’ and he reminds 


us of Waltgn’s declaration that neither Lacie = nor fencing 
can be taught by~werds. “*T will make you,’’—nothing is so 
powerful as His own example. If the example of Washington 
and Hancock made generations of heroes for America, the 
example of our Christ ought to be sufficient inspiration for 
untold millenniums of Christian heroes. We sound the praises 
of our missionary heroes and with good reason. Coke and 


388 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Carey, Livingstone and Taylor, Williams and Judson, Morri- — 


son and Paton, are true heroes of the Cross. 

But what are missions, and what are purposes? These men 
are sent out to evangelize the world. Yes, but what are we 
doing in our churches at home? Is devotion to God in un- 
ceasing and unealeulating service more required in Africa 
than in America? If it is good to hold street meetings in 
Bombay or Peking, why is not an equal service worth while in 
New York or Philadelphia? We hold our farewell meetings 
and ride down to the dock and see our missionaries off, and 
when the ship swings out into the stream, we get into our 
automobiles, saying: 

‘*Poor fellows, how much fun they will miss.’’ 

But-.are we not all challenged to the same surrender and 
the same devotion? There is but one standard of devotion 
and it applies in every field. World-wide evangelism is the 
message of the hour and it is as imperative in the Occident 
as in the Orient. It is self-denying service that counts, counts 
everywhere. How came a worldly reporter to write chap- 
ters that read like another Acts of the Apostles? It was be- 
cause Stanley met Livingstone in the heart of Africa and saw 
in him the temper and spirit of his Master. How was it that 
George Romanes, the clear-headed skeptic, pillowed his head 
at last upon a mighty faith? It was because he read a letter 
from a missionary who was counting not his life dear. Ah 
yes, when the world sees the marks of the nails in the palms 
of the Church, it will be no longer faithless but believing! 


‘<The hero is not fed on sweets, 

Daily his own heart he eats; 

Chambers of the great are jails 

And head winds right for royal sails.’’ 


May I now pass to indicate how the spirit of burning zeal 
may best make itself manifest to the world? All are agreed 
that the problem of the hour is at root the problem of the 
individual. I know men grow weary with the slow process of 
counting units. They would like to lift society to God by 
thousands or by generations and make nations Christian by 
an edict. But he has studied history to little effect who talks 
that way. If you wish to know what kind of Christians an 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 389 


edict makes, look to the days of Constantine and you have 
your answer. When the Church was founded, it was because 
Simon found Philip and Philip found Nathanael and no bet- 
ter method has been devised since that day. Anything that 
will roll upon the Church—ministers, and layman, a sense 
of personal responsibility, is a thing to be desired. 

The message which I now wish to bring is the message of 
a pastor and you will not misunderstand me. Let nothing 
which I shall utter be considered as an attack against those 
great concerted movements where many pastors and churches 
are united under the leadership of such a man of God as Dr. 
Chapman, or Gipsy Smith or others; but I think we all agree 
that the ideal condition is that in which the individual church 
and the individual pastor undertake the care of their in- 
dividual field. No father wishes to adopt children when he 
ean have children of his own. One great evangelist may do un- 
speakable good, but the demand of the hour is not so much for 
a score of great evangelists as for a hundred thousand conse- 
crated pastors and ten times as many consecrated laymen, who 
shall unite their efforts for the advancement of the Kingdom. 
We must come into personal touch with our people. We must 
know their heart-ache to share it. The Church must know 
the agonizing pain of motherhood if she is to know the un- 
speakable joy of new-born children nourished at her breast. 

I am quite aware that this great company holds different 
views and adopts different methods in the unfolding of the 
Christian life and the building up of the Church. It would 
ill become me to claim clearer thought or wiser methods than 
my brethren, but however much we differ in method, we are 
all agreed in the necessity of some birth from above and we 
_ may each say to the other, ‘‘If thy heart is as my heart, give 
me thy hand.’’ Whatever our differences, there is one thing 
we must have,—it is that which makes the yearning heart— 
love for the souls of men. It cannot be simulated, we must 
really care for the souls of men and ‘‘care to care.’’ If we 
wear a mask, it will slip some day and all the world will know 
what God has known all along, that we had but a stolid face 
and a heart of stone. It is by the medicine of a loving heart 
that dead souls are brought to life. Our Saviour broke His 


390 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF TO CILURCHES OF CHRIST. 


heart for those He loved and ‘‘if we do not bleed, we cannot 
bless.’’ Sin and pain and death have not gone out of fashion. 
David cries ceaselessly from his chamber over the gate: 
‘‘Would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son,’’ and 
still the mourners go about the streets. If we do not feel 
the world’s woe, we cannot heal it. 

What has been your labor under the sun and what have you 
to show for it? If fame was the object, and you won it, you 
found how empty it is and how soon men are forgotten. If 
you have sought for wealth, you have found it hard to win and 
easy to lose and a bitter thing to hold if it has been won at the 
cost of truth and love. All these end here. It is threnody 
and thanatopsis and we go out emptyhanded. When we go up 
‘ to our chamber for the last time, only one thing will count. 
There is but one business which is worth while. To under- 
take it, the throne of Heaven was emptied that the mansions 
of heaven might be filled. It challenged the Son of God and 
consumed Him with its passion. 

I have no question as to what thrills the heart of God, for 
Jesus said: ‘‘He who has seen me, hath seen the Father.’’ I 
know God is interested in every sacrifice that we make for 
Him for when Jesus set up His temple of fame, He gave one of 
its chiefest places to an unknown widow, who cast into God’s 
treasury all she had. I know God cares for His workers, for 
I saw Jesus with a towel about His loins, wash His disciples’ 
feet. I know God will be merciful to the repentant for I saw 
Jesus write the accusation of the woman in the sand and 
scratch it out. I know He is a God of the yearning heart, for 
Jesus paints a picture of a father waiting by the roadside for 
a bad boy coming home. He sees him coming and runs to | 
meet him and will not begin the feast until the prodigal sits, 
clean-robed, at the head of: the table. This is the evangel | 
which we are to preach. The only love which never halts and — 
never fails, is the love of God for a lost world. We are to 
interpret that to the sin cursed and the desolate. 

Concerning that evangel, there is only one verdict in earth 
or hell or Heaven and this is the verdict: ‘‘He that winneth 
souls is wise.’ 


‘ 
: 
- 7 

v4 


: 
: 


The Church in Evangelistic Work 


Passion, Pathos and Power in the Ministry 
By THE Rev. J. WiwpurR CuHapman, D.D.,* 


I have the privilege this evening of speaking to you of a 
work which may very well be presented in the city of Phila- 
delphia, because it was born here, and, being born here, first 
as a city movement, it 
was so faithfully en- 
couraged and carried on 
by the pastors of the 
city that it has swept 
through a denomination 
until it has literally 
come to be true to-day 
that the average Pres- 
byterian minister stands 
committed to the spirit 
of evangelism of the 
best sort. 

This work of which I 
am to speak this even- 
ing unites two of Amer- 
ica’s great laymen,—I 
suppose two of the 
greatest laymen of their 
generation. The one was 
the distinguished evan- 
gelist, D. L. Moody; the other is the distinguished citizen of 
this great city, I suppose in every respect the most distin- 
guished layman of the denomination of which he is a mem- 
ber, and I have an idea that when the history is written men 
in other denominations will agree in saying that he is one of 


THE REY. J. WILBUR CHAPMAN, D.D. 


*Executive Secretary of the General Assembly’s Committee on Evan- 
gelistie Work of the Presbyterian Church. 


391 


392 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


the greatest men of his day, in that he has given himself so 
unreservedly to Jesus Christ and has not only given himself, 
but has so consecrated his vast wealth, in order that by the 
expenditure of a portion of this wealth men may be brought 
to Jesus Christ; and he is Mr. John H. Converse, the man 
whose heart is as broad as the world and whose sympathies 
reach out after men of all classes and conditions. 

D. L. Moody was making an address in this city, and turn- 
ing to Mr. Converse he said: ‘‘Some men ought to start a tent 
movement in this city, and the tent movement ought to go 
on when the churches are closed ;’’ and the tent movement was 
started by the ministers and the laymen of the city, Mr. Con- 
verse joining with them. When they found that a city could 
be moved by the preaching of the Gospel in the summer time, 
then the question was asked, Could not a denomination be 
moved? And in this city of Philadelphia the first evangelistic 
committee was appointed, and through all these years other 
evangelistic committees have been appointed until, as I said 
a moment ago, it is literally true that the entire Presbyterian 
Church stands for evangelism of the very best sort. As the 
representative of that committee I have the privilege of 
speaking this evening. 

The work has received the approval of all classes and con- 
ditions of men. The movement was tried in the city of Den- 
ver, and the real estate exchange met and said: “‘ This is worth 
while, and we will approve of it, because they said with a 
smile and half in jest, if it can be sent out through the Asso- 
ciated Press that Denver is a religious city, we will sell more 
lots,’’ but of course we did not attach so much importance 
to that. It was tried in the city of Dallas, and the Get To- 
gether Club said: ‘‘If we can endorse this movement and 
Dallas can be moved religiously, then the people of the South- 
west will find that we are a religious city and more people 
will move in;’’ but we did not attach so much importance 
to that. Laymen all over the country have said that the work 
would have their approval, I suppose because the work was 
so closely associated with the distinguished layman in this 
city. 

We were conducting a series of meetings in the city of Min- 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 393 


neapolis when Bishop Edsall of the Episcopal Church, gave me 
an invitation to preach in the Pro-Cathedral. I went before 
attending my other service, and coming into the Pro-Cathedral 
I found it crowded. I made my way to the front of the 
church and was received by the bishop and his clergy, and I 
said : 

‘“Where shall I preach, Bishop?’’ I was attired as I am 
this evening, while the bishop had on all his robes that were 
due his office. 

He said: ‘‘Where would you like to preach ?’’ 

I said, ‘‘ Where is the highest place in the church ?”’ 

He said, ‘‘The highest place is this pulpit here; that is 
where the bishop preaches.”’ 

I said, ‘‘I am a Presbyterian bishop, so if you will allow 
me, I will go up into that pulpit and preach,’’ so I made my 
way into that pulpit and preached, only to come down to re- 
ceive the warm handclasp of the bishop, to have him say 
kind words about the brief message, and then to have the 
people sing as I passed out to the other service, 


**Blest Be the Tie that Binds.’’ 


It has received the endorsement of men of all denomina- 
tions, and I feel this evening that I have the privilege of say- 
ing that I present to you a cause that really can unite all the 
churches of Jesus Christ. We can become one in this work 
of which I speak this evening. We may differ as to the use 
of the liturgy, we may differ as to the doctrine, but we can 
all become one in evangelical work. We are not so very far 
apart, anyway. 

When I was down in the South, in one of the southern 
States preaching, knowing that I was a Presbyterian, a col- 
ored Methodist minister came to me saying that he was very 
anxious to join the Presbyterian Church for various reasons, 
but he said, ‘‘I couldn’t do it because of the doctrine.’’ I 
thought I might help him and said, ‘‘ What is there about the 
doctrine?’’ and among other things he said it was the doc- 
trine of election. Of course I didn’t attempt to explain that 
doctrine to him to influence him to join the church, but while 


394 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIS?. 


I was talking to him a very old colored man, a layman, came 
up and said: 

‘‘Brother, that is the easiest thing that is in the church. 
Why,”’ he said, ‘‘that is the very easiest thing in the church.’’ 
He said, ‘‘ You see, it is like this: the votin’ is goin’ on all 
the time, and God, He is votin’ for you, and the devil he is 
votin’ agin you, and whichever way you vote, that is the way 
the election goes.’’ 

I said to myself, I graduated at the theological seminary, 
but I never got anything quite so good as that; and I have 
studied theology some myself, and I have never quite found 
anything so clever as that. And there is one thing that you 
can all endorse, I am sure, and that is, that when it comes to 
real concern for a soul, it matters not whether you are an 
Episcopalian or a Presbyterian or a Methodist or Baptist; we 
are all one, so I present you this evening a platform broad 
enough for you all to stand upon. 

Now, if I were expected to speak to you concerning the posi- 
tion of the professional evangelist, I should not think it worth 
while. God calls evangelists and men who are called by men 
are not worth while. If I thought that I should be expected 
to speak to you this evening in order that I might make a 
plea for the great evangelistic campaigns held in the cities, 
I should say that it is not worth my while, and I would not 
have the right to take your time. These evangelistic cam- 
paigns do not in every case solve the problems of the city, but 
they are great object lessons. 

Just a very short time ago on the coast outside of New 
York a little way, a man who kept the light house came in 
from his home to a little village on the shore. He used his 
naptha launch to make the journey. When he started back 
the engine wouldn’t work. He took an hour of time to repair 
it, and before the engine was repaired the storm was on. The 
night was dark; the waves were mountain high. He was late 
in reaching the light house—two o’clock in the morning—but 
the light was there. His old grayhaired mother, seventy- 
five years of age, had climbed the iron stairway and had kept 
the light shining, and I think that is about all we are doing 
in these great evangelistic campaigns in the cities. We are 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 395 


keeping the light shining and we are putting hope into some 
ministers and courage into some Christian workers. These 
campaigns do not always solve the problems of the city, be- 
cause Dr. Goodell was right when he said that no professional 
evangelist can alone do this, and no evangelistic campaign 
that lasts for a week or a month can meet the exigencies of 
the case. _ 

But I present to you this evening the general subject of 
Evangelism, and presenting this to you IJ feel that as a min- 
ister of the Gospel I have a right to make the very strongest 
appeal to you. The resolution passed this afternoon was sim- 
ply great. I sat in the gallery there I listened and I said 
to myself, I should like to take that in a leaflet form and 
pass it out in all the meetings I may conduct and say to the 
workingmen all over the country: 

*“The Church of Jesus Christ is not out of sympathy with 
you.”’ 

I was in fullest sympathy with Mr. Stelzle when he said 
that the resolutions were superb. But, you know, I can think 
of a resolution that would stir the country more than that 
would stir it. What is that resolution? That you men, the 
latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose because. of 
your scholarship, because of your eminent position in the 
Church, that you men whose judgment is so much better than 
mine, that you men whose names stand for so much in the 
Church of Christ throughout the world,—if you men should 
meet together and send out an appeal to the whole Church of 
Christ in America, saying the time has come to pray, for days 
of prayer and nights of prayer, and days of fasting and times 
of waiting upon God, I believe that such a resolution as that 
sent forth, backed up by earnest praying, would shake the 
Church and move America for God. It is not my privilege 
to ask you to do it, but I suggest that it would be a wise 
thing to do it, and if it should be done, then I can suggest 
to you some things that would come to us. : 

In the first place, our homes would be better. Did you 
read the startling statement in the newspapers the other day 
that in America to-day one marriage in twelve ends in di- 
vorce? If that is true, then we would do well to have a bet- 


396 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


ter home religion. An old missionary came back to this 
country after he had been twenty-five years away, and the 
editor of the Examiner in San Francisco said: 

‘‘Travel for a month on the coast and then come and let us 
interview you, and we will pay your expenses;’’ and the in- 
terview was on, and the question that was asked was this: 

‘“What has impressed you the most after your absence of 
twenty-five years from America?’’ The editor said he thought 
that the missionary would say possibly that the sending of 
wireless messages impressed him most, but he did not. He 
said this: 

‘‘When I went away from America twenty-five years ago 
almost every professedly Christian home had a family altar, 
and I have come back to America to find that the family altar 
is the rarest thing imaginable;’’ and, raising his finger like 
a prophet, the old white-haired missionary added, ‘‘and when 
the family altar goes down, I see America’s doom.’’ And so 
do I. Homes better? The only way to make them better is 
to have an old-fashioned revival of religion. 

I was a man grown before I ever visited Washington; then 
I went to Washington as the guest of Mr. Wanamaker, who 
was in the President’s cabinet, and I was his minister. As I 
stepped out of the train and got into his carriage and we 
turned into Pennsylvania avenue, when I saw the Capitol 
for the first time, I said: 

‘“What is that?’’ He looked at me as if he pitied me. 

‘“Why, man,”’ he said, ‘‘that is the Capitol, and that is the 
home of the Nation.’’ And I put my face against the glass 
of his carriage window and said: ‘‘It is a great home and a 
worthy home of a great Nation; but it isn’t the home of the 
Nation.”’ 

I would rather take my friend to-night over into New Eng- 
land where lived until recently an old gray-haired man who 
began every morning with prayer, who closed every day with 
prayer, who spoke the names of his servants and his children 
in his petition, who sang the hymns of the Church with his 
household, and sent them out to their work feeling that 
angels were about them, and to their beds feeling that ladders 
were let down from the skies to every pillow; that is the home 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 397 


of the Nation, and we need homes like that, and when we have 
them we will have a better state of things. 

Second, if there should be sent us such a resolution, we 
would have an increase in the number of students for the 
ministry. The time has come to sound a note of alarm be- 
cause so few men are studying for the ministry, but I can 
think of a great awakening doing three things: first, changing 
the Church. You know, I can quite understand how, when a 
minister has preached his best on Sunday and there has been 

no response from the pews and his heart is almost breaking, 

and he goes home, with the deep set eyes and the marks of 
care upon his face and his head bowed, and his children know 
that his heart is crushed and his wife’s face answers to his 
own great sorrow—I can quite understand how the boys in 
that household would not think so much about entering the 
ministry. Can you not? On the other hand, I can quite un- 
derstand how, if a man in the pulpit falls below the ideal as 
to what a man should do who preaches Christ, that the men 
who sit in the pews—young men—would not have much of a 
desire to become preachers. 

Give us a revival that will stir the Church and fire the 
minister, because John R. Mott says in that great book of 
his that in the wake of every revival young men have streamed 
into the ministry ; that after Whitfield’s preaching they came 
by scores, that after Finney’s preaching they came by scores, 
in multitudes; that after Moody’s preaching they did the 
same thing. D. L. Moody’s preaching gave us Henry Drum- 
mond as an evangelist, gave us W. T. Grenfell as a mission- 
ary. I took luncheon the other day in Burlington, Vt., with 
Dr. Grenfell, and he was telling me that he was so glad to take 
the service that evening which I had asked him to hold in 
the Armory, ‘‘because,’’ he said, ‘‘I was converted in an 
evangelistic meeting.”’ 

“You were?’’ I said. 

= Ves. sir?” 

‘“Who was the evangelist ?’’ 

““D. L. Moody.”’ 

T said: ‘‘Dr. Grenfell, tell me about it.’’ 

““Well,’’ he said, ‘‘I was a graduate from the medical school 


398 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


and I didn’t care particularly about religion, but I heard that 
Charley Studd was going to speak in Moody’s meeting, and 
I didn’t care for meetings, but I wanted to see Charley 
Studd; so I went down to the great building, stepped in, and 
there was the champion cricketer on the platform. While I 
was looking up at him Mr. Moody rose and said, 

‘« “Before Mr. Studd speaks, somebody lead us in prayer.’ 
He said a man rose in the congregation and began to pray 
and prayed so at length that he was bored, and he said to him- 
self, ‘I’ll not wait through this prayer, even to see or hear 
Charley Studd,’ and I was just going out, when Mr. Moody 
sprang to his feet and said: ‘Let us sing a hymn while the 
brother concludes his prayer,’ and I made up my mind,”’ 
said Dr. Grenfell, ‘‘that if a man had courage enough to say 
that, he had courage enough to preach, and I stayed to hear 
him, and came to Christ.’’ 

But I go back to my story again, and say again, listen, if 
we want more young men in the theological seminaries, let us 
make our homes better and our churches better, and may God 
help those of us who are ministers to preach as ministers used 
to preach with passion, pathos and power. 


Third, if we could have this resolution sent out to the 
Church and men acted according to it,—hear me, the old 
pathos and power and passion will come again to men. I have 
for twenty-six years been a minister of the Gospel, but ten 
years of that time without a church. Six years of that time I 
was in this city as one of the ministers, and blessed, happy 
years they were, but I have never found out either in pastoral 
or evangelistic experience that you were obliged to change 
your message to win souls. Listen, men! The man who 
preaches to the crowd to-day and holds the crowd, preaches 
the story of Jesus Christ and Him crucified; and I hold that 
in these days, while I pay all tribute to scholars and scholar- 
ship, and acknowledge humbly that I am not a scholar, for I 
have through all my life been far too busy, as some of you men 
well know, I hold that what this sinsick world needs to-day 
more than anything else is the old-fashioned preaching where 
sin was denounced and the Saviour presented, and preachers 


: 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 399 


preached with a passion. Give us a revival and we will have 
that. 

Fourth, Give us a revival and we will send men out to win 
other men to Christ. Will you allow me to say that I do not 
at all believe that the professional evangelist is the hope of 
the church. I would not turn my hand over to increase the 
number of evangelists, if by increasing their number I should 
make ministers to depend on them rather than on what they 
could do themselves, but if I could give my right arm, I 
would give it to-night—yea, and I would give my left—if I 
could contribute to any influence that would fire the ministers 
in the pulpit as pastors with the spirit of evangelism, which 
is the spirit of Jesus; for, hear me, the hope of the Church is 
in pastoral evangelism, and if it is in anything else, it is this 
personal evangelism. When we can stir our men and women 
to speak to others about Christ we can save men by the hun- 
dred and the thousand. 

In one of our meetings a few months ago a distinguished 
man went down the aisle, leaned over a man who was dressed 


_ In rags, put his arm around his shoulder, and said: 


““George, you ought to do this; you know you ought to do 
it,’’ and the tears were in his eyes when he said, “‘ George, 
I wish you would do it;’’ and one of my friends who was 
standing near says he reached up and took the distinguished 
man’s hand and threw it away from him and said: 

“Mr. V., go away from me, sir. Why didn’t you speak to 
me twenty years ago when my heart was breaking ?’’ 

And one of my friends found in a hotel a man bound with 
a passion tossing to and fro on his bed like a demon. He held 
him in his arms until the struggle was over and then said to 
him: 

““Won’t you give your heart to Jesus Christ?’’ and the man 
looked back at him, then threw his arms around his neck and 
sobbed and said: ‘‘Not in all my life has anybody ever 
asked me to be a Christian before. Not in all my life.”’ 

A minister of a western church was preaching. After his 
sermon he went down into his audience and spoke to this one 
and that one, and when he came. back one of his church officers 
said: 


400 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


‘‘What did the man back yonder say to you?’’ and he 
said: 

‘‘He told me he had intellectual difficulties.’’ He said, 
‘Would you mind getting his name and telling me where he 
lives?’’ He got his name and where he lived, and the next 
day this distinguished man was there to see him. When the 
keeper of the boarding-house saw him and said: 

‘“Won’t you come in and go into our best room? This is 
indeed an honor,’’ but the great man said, ‘‘No, sir, I will 
go into your hall bedroom where a young law student is to be 
found. He went in to the room, sat down, opened the Bible, 
which was on the table, and said: 

‘“My pastor says you have intellectual difficulties.’’ 

IVa g ae? ; 

‘“What are they?’’ And he began to tell him, and before 
he had finished the first one, it was gone, as you would brush 
away a cobweb. ‘‘ What is the next one?’’ and it was gone. 
‘And what is the next?’’ and it was answered; and when 
they had gone through them all, the great man said to him, 
‘“Would you mind getting down on your knees? I think I 
would like to pray with you;’’ and at one o’clock in the 
morning he dropped on his knees and the arms of the great 
church officer went round about him, and when the prayer 
was over he said: 

‘*And now will you take Jesus Christ?’’ and he said: 

‘*T will,’’ and the church officer came back to his minister 
and said: 

‘‘T have had many a thrill’’—I should think he had,—he 
was President of the United States, and his name was Benja- 
min Harrison,—I should think he had had many a thrill !— 
but, said he to his minister, ‘‘I have had many a thrill, but 
never one like last night, when I heard the law student say, 
‘T will.’ ’’ Give us a revival, and we will have that. 

And, brethren, listen to me! I have changed my mind 
about the kind of a revival we need. I used to say we need a 
revival to get more people in. I do not think it. I think 
we need a revival in these days just simply to hold our own. 
Tf all the indifferent Presbyterians in the city of Philadelphia 
should go to church on one Sunday, the churches would be too 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 401 


small, they would have to tear down the buildings and build 
greater. Of course, as you quite know, a Presbyterian could 
not backslide, so we call them indifferent Presbyterians. But 
if all the backslidden Methodists should go to church one Sun- 
day, we would have to tear down the churches and build 
larger to accommodate them. 

* When I was a minister in this city there came a man into 
the conference of ministers and said that the people of the 
slums were the lost sheep of our own households. I can re- 
member to this day a Presbyterian minister springing to his 
feet and saying: ‘‘It isn’t so!’’ and two or three ministers 
said, ‘‘We will find out,’’ and I was one of the ministers, the 
youngest of the party then; and the vilest man I ever have 
seen in this city of Philadelphia I saw in the slums of this 
city at twelve o’clock at night, and when I told him I was the 
minister of Bethany, he stood on his feet and clenched his 
fist and shook it in my face and said: 

“‘Bethany! I sat in your church and nobody ever spoke to 
me.’’ The vilest woman I have ever seen in my life I saw at 
two o’clock in the morning in the slums of this city, and 
when I:said, ‘‘I am from the Bethany school,’’ she burst into 
tears and said: 
~ “Bethany! my mother carried me there in her arms; I was 
in Miss Brown’s class; I sat as a girl until I was sixteen years 
of age three seats from the front in the form on the left. 
and,’’ she said, ‘‘I am here, here.’’ And then she seemed to 
lose all her passion and pathos and brushing away her tears 
she said, ‘‘ You let me slip.”’ 

I was preaching in the vilest hall in Seattle that ever a 
man could enter; fifteen hundred fallen men and women were 
in that place. I looked up on the right and I saw a crowd of 
fallen girls in the box of the theatre, and I said to the keeper 
of the dive: 

“Could I come up and speak to them?’’ ‘‘Most assuredly,’’ 
he said, ‘‘and no business will go on while you are there.’”’ 

So I went up into this crowd of girls, the youngest seven- 

_teen, the oldest not more than eighteen or nineteen,—poor 
girls, they were not clad in their usual gaudy finery, but they 
had on the dresses, maybe, they had worn when they had 


402 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


wandered away from home,—and I sat down in the midst of 
them and said: : 

‘‘Girls, I have a daughter of my own back in New York. 
If she were over here, I should die of sorrow,’’ and then I 
looked around into the faces of them all and said: 

‘*Were you ever in the Sunday-school?’’ Listen! Every 
-single girl said, ‘‘Yes.’’ And, you know, I rather think, 
brethren, that what we need in these days is a revival that 
will help us to claim our own,— just to claim our own. Do 
you? ; 
Now, with this I close: I think we owe it to Him—Oh, I 
think we owe it to Him, my matchless Saviour, who saved me 
when I was a motherless boy, who has walked by my side 
through sunshine and storm, who has been with me when no 
words of mine could express my joy, and no human language 
could express my sorrow, my blessed Lord and yours—I think 
we owe it to Him. Here is a story that every minister knows, 
but you do not know the end of it. Forty-seven years ago the 
Lady Elgin, as you know, went down between Chicago and 
Milwaukee, and you Methodist ministers know what is com- 
ing—Ed. Spencer and Will Spencer, Northwestern University 
students, members of the Volunteer Life Saving Company, 
stood on the shore, and Ed. Spencer, the brave swimmer, 
pushes out and saves fifteen, and then he saw two more on 
the spar and he pushes out again and saves two more—seven- 
teen,—then his brother took him in his arms and earried him 
up to his room, and all the boy would say over and over was 
this: ‘‘Did I do my best? Did I do my best?”’ 

Dr. Torrey told that story three weeks ago out in Los 
Angeles, and when he finished telling it a gentleman stepped 
over to one of my friends and said: ‘‘ Ed. Speneer is standing 
right yonder.’’ Dr. Torrey rose up and said, “‘If Mr. Ed. 
Spencer is in this building, let him come to the front,’’ and 
this grizzled, gray old man walked to the front, with every- 
body sobbing; and when he stood up with Dr. Torrey’s arm 
about him he said: ‘‘Dr. Torrey, it is forty-seven years ago 
to-day, but,’’ he said, afterwards to Dr. John Willis Baer, “‘of 
all the seventeen saved, not one ever thanked me.”’ 

O Thou blessed Christ, with the marks of the nails in Thy 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 403 


_ hands and the spear in Thy side, and the scourges on Thy 
_ back, all for me, the best expression of my thanks to-night 
_ eould be, ‘Here, Lord, take me! Genius, if I have any; skill, 
if I have any ; intellectual ability, if I have any; take me, fire 
me, use me.”” That is the best. Brethrep, could you lay all 
_ you have at His feet? 
I like what they tell about the Queen of England, who, when 
she was but a girl, became Queen, and they went to instruct 
her in matters of court etiquette; and they said, ‘‘ You are to 
go to hear ‘the Messiah’ to-morrow night, but when they sing 
through the oratorio and come to the Hallelujah Chorus, we 
will all rise, but you are the Queen; sit stillL’’ So when they 
eame to the matchless Hallelujah Chorus and sang it. *‘ Halle- 
Iujah! Hallelujah!’’ the Englishmen sprang to their feet and 
cheered, and the Queen sat; but when they came to the place 
_ where they ‘sang, “‘And King of Kings and Lord of Lords,”’ 
' she rose and bowed her head. That was at the beginning of 
her reign. 

But when she came almost to the end of her matchless reign, 
and Canon Farrar was preaching on the second coming of 
Christ, she sent for him to enter the Queen’s box, and when 
he came in, Her Majesty said: 

’ “Dr. Farrar, I wish that the Saviour might come while I 
am still upon the throne, because,’’ she said, “‘I should like 
to take the crown of England and lay it at His feet.”’ 


The hymn, ‘‘ When I survey the wondrous Cross,’’ was sung, 
after which the benediction was pronounced by Bishop Hen- 
drix. 


Home Mission Workers Co-operate 


Closer Alliances Necessary to Save the Country 
By THE Rr. Rev. ErHeLBErt Tausot, D.D., LL.D.* 


We are going to have to-night the great pleasure of listen- 
ing to one of our missionary leaders, the Rev. Dr. Charles L. 
Thompson, the General Secretary of the Home Mission Board 
of the great Presbyter- 
ian Church in our coun- 
try. 

I wish all of you 
could have been present 
this afternoon and 
heard the very animated 
and the very interesting 
I may say, the very de- 
lightful discussion upon 
the matter of Home 
Missions. The various 
churches co-operating 
with a view of saving 
just as much as we can 
in the way of jealousy, 
strife, and expense in 
many of our little 
towns, not only in the 


THE RT. REV. ETHELBERT TALBOT, D.D., LL.D. far West, the more 
sparsely settled parts of 


our country, but all over the country, especially in the rural 
places. 

It is rapidly getting to be felt among all the Christian 
bodies represented in this great Council and there are thirty- 
three of us represented down there,—it is getting to be the 


*Bishop of the diocese of Central Pennsylvania, presiding at a simul- 
taneous meeting in the Holy Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church. 


404 : 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 405 


general consensus of opinion that the time is coming in our 
great warfare against the allied powers of evil that we Chris- 
tians must get nearer together and closer alliance must be 
formed. Many of the unhappy divisions in which our Ameri- 
ean Christianity is unfortunately divided are felt by a great 
many of us to be not only unnecessary, but it is felt by many 
that they are destined soon, in many instances, to be a thing of 
the past. Already, you know, there have been happy re- 
unions of the parts of the churches which were once divided. 
There has been a reunion of the Cumberland and the Old 
School. Presbyterian and other bodies have united and be- 
tween many of these the differences are so infinitesimal that it 
would seem in the splendid inspiration and the splendid mo- 


mentum being given by this great Council in Philadelphia 


err 


that steps will be taken soon to bring about a still further ex- 
tension of the spirit of alliance between churches, not simply . 
cousins to each other, but closely allied in form, in parity of 
doctrine and almost everything. Sometimes it is a little mat- 
ter of North and South, but the memory of that sort of thing 
is coming to be more and more dim, and we may look forward 
to the time when the number of religious bodies will be greatly 
diminished. 

In the meantime those of us who are working for the fur- 
therance of the Gospel of Christ in this country owe it to each 
other and to our Divine Master to encourage the kindest and 
most fraternal relations, and by meeting together and consult- 
ing and making alliances with each other and loving each 
other more, to see if we can, in places where work seems to be 
overlapping and there seems to be more organizations than are 
necessary, so many that it is impoverishing the work by .di- 
viding the people and making it almost impossible for the laity 
to support so many clergymen in the one little town, it is 
now the part of the business of this Federation of so many 
churches to see what we can do by love and charity in con- 
ference and prayer to do away with just as many of these di- 
visions as we can in the interest of high spiritual economy and 
to show to the world how we Christians love each other and 
are willing to work shoulder to shoulder together. That is 
the idea. 


406 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Dr. Thompson is the General Secretary of the Home Mis- 

sionary Board of the Presbyterian Church. I take great 
pleasure in introducing him. I am beginning to feel that the 
Presbyterians are getting very near to us. This old historie 
body,—I have always loved them. I hope I love all Christian 
people, but somehow I have had a very warm spot in my heart 
for Presbyterians, and some say it is because I married one. 
I do not think that is the only reason! I have been thrown 
very much with them and I have learned a great deal about 
their clergy, their splendid people, their great and magnifi- 
cent courage and missionary heroism; so 1 was made very 
happy at the great Conference in London, when two hundred 
and fifty of our Anglican Bishops were there. 
_ I was made happy by the efforts which were made, and they | 
are only the beginning of a great many efforts to get in closer 
alliance with our Presbyterian brethren. We had before us 
two of the ex-Moderators of the Presbyterian Chureh—men 
of charming personality, of great learning and ability and 
Christian character. They were good enough to let us ask 
them all manner of questions, to ask them what we could do 
to make them love us more and get closer to us and what we 
could do to get closer to them, and what steps we could take, 
not only to bring the churches, not only closer together, but 
make them practically one. Our large Committee was formed 
into a permanent committee. I hope it will not be permanent 
forever, I hope it will be permanent only until the thing is 
done and accomplished on the part of the Bishops and a sim- 
ilar committee on the part of our Presbyterian brethren in 
Scotland to keep up a correspondence to devise ways and 
means to make any compromise in the realm of their con- 
science to bring that thing about. The same Conference was 
characterized by meetings of other bodies. 

Our Moravian Brethren were good enough to wait on us 
and spent hours with us and there seems to be a most beautiful 
prospect of reunion and intercommunication, because of the 
fact that our polity is identical, I may say the same. The 
Moravians holding as we hold to the historic Episcopate, and 
taking infinite pains throughout their eventful history to pre- 
serve it, have made overtures to us and we have responded to 


ee Oo 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 407 


them with great alacrity and affection and those two commit- 
tees are at work. 

The great gathering here in Philadelphia has met, not for 
the purpose of destroying our separate individual hfe, but 
rather for the purpose of seeing how far we may really work 
together. There are many things in which we are absolutely 
agreed. Indeed, it ought to be a source of great joy to us 
all, that the things that differentiate us among the churches 
are so small and so insignificant as compared to the great 
fundamentals on which we agree. 

I am going to ask Dr. Thompson to speak as his heart dic- 
tates about this general subject of Home Missions in our own 
beloved country. No one is better able to do it than he by 
his large experience. 


Federation in Home Mission Work 


The Field, Continent-wide and More 
By THE Rev. Cuartes L. THompson, D.D.* 


Bishop and Friends: I am glad to respond to the very 
cordial introduction of the Bishop. I have wondered some- 
times what made him so good a missionary, and I see now that 
he got the right kind 
of a start, and began 
Church Union by mar- 
rying a _ Presbyterian. 
This is a good way to 
unite the denomina- 
tions; “but, do you 
know, it seems to me a 
little too slow. We want 
to take it in larger 
fashion. 

Thirty - three bodies 
here at this Council! 
Mv friends, that is too 
many; all standing on 
the Apostles’ Creed, all 
singing the same hymns, 
all preaching out of the 
same Bible, using the 
same prayers,—whether 
they are printed or not 
—and hearing the same commission and trying to obey it. I 
say thirty-three is too many. I don’t think you can have too 
many Presbyterians. Of course, you can have too many 
kinds of Presbyterians;—twelve is too many. There are 
seventeen kinds of Methodists; and, good as they are, that 


THE REV. CHARLES L. THOMPSON, D.D. 


“Secretary of the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church, 
We Sh AN 
408 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 409 


is too numerous in these days. We are making history rap- 
idly. We are trying to get in step, to manifest the essential 
unity of our Protestant Christianity. I think a tremendous 
sermon will be preached when the Associated Press sends re- 
ports to the country of the meeting of the Council now being 
held in Witherspoon Hall. I do not think anything so sug- 
gestive, and with such large possibilities in it has happened 
in a generation. It is time we got together. We cannot 
stand these divisions. I think of the Master’s prayer, in 
those tremulous last days of His, ‘‘that they all may be one.’’ 
And note the reason. There is just one reason. It is not 
that it is pleasant, it is not that it will manifest harmony, but 
that the world may believe. 

Is it true that the faith of the world in the Gospel of Jesus 
Christ has been halted somewhat by our divisions? I do 
not think there is a doubt of it, and I do not believe there 
is anything that would act with such cogency on the minds of 
men to persuade them of the réality of the Gospel of Jesus 
Christ as to see us get together, elbow to elbow, shoulder to 
shoulder, and step to step in a great advance to get this 
world to the feet of the Master. Let us do all we can to 
answer His prayer, and so to do His work. 

The Bishop was good enough to say that I should talk in 
any way I wished. I took occasion to say this afternoon that 
this federation has been growing. No man ean read the his- 
tory of twenty-five years without seeing the trend is toward 
federation. There has been going on a steady process of fed- 
eration, which does not mean organic union. And I do not 
think organic union is essential. You remember by your 
readings of the times of our Civil War, when the fighting 
was sporadic and the different brigades North and South did 
pretty much what was good in their own eyes until, in the 
latter part of the war, two great military geniuses arose— 
one in the North and one in the South—with vision enough 
to take the measure of the conflict from the Atlantic to the 
Mississippi, to gather the regiments and brigades and di- 
visions, to center them on crucial points——Vicksburg in the 
- West, Richmond in the East—and then it was not far to the 
end of the conflict. We need not forsake our regimental 


410 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


colors. We love them. Dear, historic memories are inter- 
woven in them, but there is a cause that is bigger than the 
regiment. That cause is the Kingdom, and to advance that 
let us hold our individual preferences sternly subordinate 
always to the great end—the evangelizing of our country 
and the evangelizing of the world. 

Now, as to our country,—the reason for getting a scientific 
as well as a Christian and spiritual view of the breadth of 
the field that is to be covered, and the forces that are to be 
overcome, is that there may be a massing of our regiments so 
the army may move without friction and with the conserya- 
tism of every pound of spiritual energy. We ought to see 
what is the source of that great work implied in the words 
“evangelizing the country.’’ Evangelizing means telling the 
good news. But you and I know that a community is not 
evangelized when the good news is told; a state is not; a 
country is not; a world is not. Evangelizing is getting hold 
of character,—to make new men and to make communities 
after the pattern of Jesus Christ. It is to make a nation 
after that pattern. Nothing short of this is evangelization. 
Now in that sense how little has been done in this country! 

Our lines have steadily gone west from the time two cen- 
turies ago when we began on this coast to cross the mountains, 
when later we swung over the prairies and over the mountains 
again. I was reading the other day the record of fifty years. 
You have often read it, Sir (turning to Bishop Talbot)—the 
march of our Christian forces from the Atlantic to the Mis- 
sissippi. I do not believe there ever was a march like that, 
reclaiming the American desert and that western wilderness, 
and dotting it with church spires and colleges and great 
universities, and other Christian institution,—at least stak- 
ing out the land, pre-empting it for the Kingdom. It was said 
in one generation there were more than thirty thousand 
churches built west of the Mississippi river. It was a mag- 
nificent record of our Protestant Christianity, and history will 
tell the story. 

But my friends, you are mistaken if you think the work is 
done. When you ride in a Pullman ear across the plains 
and see the church spires and schools, and colleges and 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 411 


universities, you might say, ‘‘The work is about done.’’ You 
need to get off the train and get into the life of these com- 
munities. You need to see how in many places the Gospel 
is little more than a protest against conditions which it can- 
not control. If evangelization means transforming communi-- 
ties, we have barely begun! The serious part of the endeavor 
is still ahead of us. 

When you think that the time is not far distant when that 
western country will hold the balance of power, at least when 
you remember that now the center of population is traveling 
across Indiana; that in the lives of some young people 
here it will cross the Mississippi, you will know beyond all 
doubting that the redemption of the West is the mighty duty 
of the Church to-day. By all the inrushing of populations, 
there where irrigation and reclamation service by the Govern- 
ment, and the mining and the forestry, are drawing thousands 
of people into the rapidly forming communities, it is quite 
possible the West is going to have more millions in the next 
generation than there are east of the Mississippi River to- 
day. When, further, you strike conditions in the West that 
are immobile like the paganism of the Indians, yielding 
slowly to Christian movements, and being trained all too 
slowly to Christian ideas; and when you come to a great su- 
perstition and fanaticism like Mormonism between the Sierras 
and the Rockies which does not yield, but is as granite as the 
Rockies to Christian influence, and which at the last election 
at Salt Lake went anti-Gentile, you will know beyond all 
doubting again that there is a mighty battle to be fought 
there. 

I am discouraged sometimes at the amount of money we are 
putting into Utah. Our little schools and little chapels make 
such a beggarly showing on our reports that I am sometimes 
tempted to think it is a hopeless proposition, but it is not. 
Ralph Waldo Emerson somewhere speaks of the experiments 
made at West Point to test the strength of the guns. He 
said that Colonel Buford ordered the pieces of artillery fired 
one, twice, ten times, twenty times, in rapid succession; fifty 
times and a hundred times. At the one hundredeth shot 
the gun exploded. Mr. Emerson asks which discharge burst 


412 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST 


the gun, and his answer is, ‘‘ Every charge.’’ When finally 
the great superstition between the Rockies and the Sierras 
shall be broken to pieces it shall be every lesson taught in the 
chapel school houses, every sermon preached in the chapels, 
every bit of work done in all the years of the past that will 
have contributed to the result until the accumulating energy 
of a generation of self-sacrificimg work for Christ shall have 
brought on a detonation which shall be heard across the land, 
and the. giant superstition shall fall. There is nothing too — 
hard for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So I say to you that on 
Indian reservations, in mining camps, in newly built cities, 
and in the Mormon fanaticism, there is a resistance that only 
patient work and faith in God Almighty and the combined 
energies of the Church of Christ are going to overcome. 

I want to say another word about some new phases of home 
missions. Home missions we have been wont to think is ‘‘out 
West,’’ where the Bishop and I used to live; but now the 
largest home mission field on the continent is on Manhattan 
Island. Another is the great city where we meet to-night. 
Yet another is on the shores of Lake Michigan. So the waves 
of missionary responsibility roll back into our great eastern 
communities, and home missions means the duty to reach 
those congested populations where congestion makes wicked- 
ness, unbelief, everything that is apart and unresponsive to 
the Christian message. Along that line let me say to you, 
as an encouragement, just the kind of work this Council ap- 
proves is work that has been done on Manhattan Island in the 
last decade and a half through federated efforts of the 
churches of Christ. The city is districted; districts are as- 
signed to churches and chapels, and that idea of distinct mis- 
sionary responsibility which our foreign friends are talking 
of now is emphasized in New York. Churches are increas- 
ingly held responsible for the district around them imme- 
diately, and annual reports are expected as to how they are 
meeting that responsibility. It begins to look as if we were 
with some science as well as some spirit, undertaking that 
tremendous job of lifting New York out of the maelstrom 
of her sin and folly. 

We have in our Board of Home Missions a Department of 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 413 


Church and Labor by which, under the guidance of an expert 
we are trying to do what we can to bridge the chasm between 
classes. For the chasm is there. All our great cities tell 
it in tones you cannot fail to hear. The man with the dinner 
pail goes past our church doors, swing open invitingly as they 
may. The purpose of our department is to say to the man 
with the dinner pail: ‘‘You cannot get on without the 
Church of Jesus Christ.’’ And to say to the Church of 
Jesus Christ: ‘‘ You cannot get on without the man with the 
dinner pail.’’ So we are forming some sentiment. I am 
_ persuaded that it is being followed by some of the other de- 
nominations. It is none too soon. These classes must come 
together even from prudential and busines considerations. 
For the stability of our great business institutions and struc- 
tures, we must get on terms, for we be one. Solidarity more 
and more holds our community. You cannot save one side 
of New York. You cannot save Fifth Avenue, for instance 
and let Avenue A and First Avenue go down. It will tip the 
island over and it will all go into the sea. 

I am thinking of the captain and first officer who were 
haying an argument when the storm signals went up. The 
first officer said to the captain: ‘‘I do not think we ought to 
go out, the storm signals are up.’’ But the captain, who was 
a positive man, said to his first officer: ‘‘ You attend to your 
end of the ship and [I will attend to mine.’’ The first officer 
ordered the anchor down and then coming forward said: 
““My end of the ship is anchored; how is yours?’’ Together 
in the same boat we will anchor or we will sail, and the one- 
ness of our civil and moral life, which science and religion 
combine to make more and more manifest, declares to us 
that we must win these multitudes who throng our streets 
or they will weigh us down. 

That leads me to speak of another matter in which we are 
sure a combination of effort may be made. I refer to the 
tremendous inrush of the immigrants into all our ports. 
Last year not so many on account of the hard times, but the 
year before more than a million, and the year before that a 
million; and, as good times are coming again, I am advised 
it is already felt in their packing up fer American ports. A 


414 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


million a year of people who know little about and care little 
for American institutions and ideals! The larger part of the 
million come from southeastern Europe, where the people are 
furthest from these ideals. Not where you and I came from, 
Scotland and Ireland and England—which leads me to say 
we need not be scornful. We are all immigrants, everybody 
in this house is an immigrant—unless he is an Indian. They 
are not inspired by the heritage we have, it is true; but the 
more I know. them the better I think of them. I often go 
down to Ellis Island and Commissioner Watchorn sometimes 
says to me, 

‘‘Tiook at them. They are just like us! They are folks 
that have had a dream of liberty, of something better even 
if it is dim.’’ Yes, they have gotten a ray from the Statue 
of Liberty and over in their valleys and among their hills 
and on their steppes they have had a dream of a chance for 
themselves and their children, and they are risking every- 
thing to get that chance. It is a risk. Did you ever go 
into that hall of Ellis Island to see them examined by the 
doctors? There are men with bundles containing all they 
have in life, and they come along that everlasting line to 
the doctors. If there is nothing the matter with them, they 
are passed to the right with a probability they will be per- 
mitted to land. The anxiety is lifted. Every once in a while 
the doctor chalks the breast of a man or a woman, and that 
means ‘‘Suspected’’ and the one so marked must turn to 
the left to a large detention room for further examination, 
and perhaps for deportation. Then how the face alters 
and the spirit’s melancholy beams out of the eyes as parents 
and children are separated. Mr. Watchorn said to me once: 

‘The hardest thing I have had came one day when a 
father and mother and two children came in. The father 
and mother were passed to the right. The two children 
were stopped, eyelids were lifted and a glance told that 
trachoma, an infectious disease, would forbid: them to land. 
Further examination confirmed the diagnosis and they were 
ordered back. I kept the children here two weeks in hopes 
that the father and mother would go back to Italy with the 
children. They have not come. I have waited every day ex- 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 415 


pecting that mother’s heart would pull her back and she 
would go with her children. They have not come and to- 
morrow the boat sails and we have got to put them on board.’’ 

I said, ‘‘ What then ?’’ 

He answered, ‘‘God knows,—I don’t; but I have got to 
obey the laws even when they press hard.’’ 

Do you know how these people,—these families—love each 
other? These southern and southeastern people are more 
demonstrative than we. You go into that place where they 
meet each other and you will see. When you and I meet we 
shake hands decorously and are glad to see each other, but 
they just fall into each other’s arm and cling as if they 
‘eould not let go. I once asked the Commissioner if there was 
anything assumed in that. He answered: 

*“No, they are demonstrative because they are affectionate.’’ 

He told me of a father and mother and six children who 
had come from Hungary. They had money and tickets to 
North Dakota where the father was going to have a farm and 
bring up the family in happy conditions. All passed the ex- 
aminations except one daughter, who was deficient mentally. 
The Commissioner said to them: ‘‘You can all go to your 
home in North Dakota except that daughter, she must go 
back. One of you can go back with her.’”’ 

There was a heart-breaking scene for a little while, then 
the old man shook himself and looking up at the Commis- 
sioner, said: 

*“This family has never been separated, and it is not going 
to be separated now. Put us all on the ship, we are all 
going back together.’’ 

The next day the boat sailed with those eight on board. 
The dream of liberty was broken; but they had kept their 
faith with each other. Could anything finer than that occur 
in your Anglo-Saxon Christianity? Those people are worth 
doing things for, training to our ideals and for our Chris- 
tianity, and one of the greatest burdens laid on the States of 
Pennsylvania and New York is how to meet the tremendous 
problem of assimilating these foreigners. 

Thus, my friends, I have just sketched some of the places 
where we can work together if we are to do this work. I 


416 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


want to say that I think one of the best ways is not in de- 
bating schools nor in councils, but out in the field, doing the 
work, feeling the pressure, the necessity for it, and as we 
get into the thick of the work, we will begin to feel the touch 
of each other’s elbows. You remember the battle of Lookout 
Mountain, where the regiments were widely scattered at the 
foot. As they approached the summit they saw the flutter 
of one another’s regimental colors, and after awhile in the 
agony of the battle, it was foot to foot and elbow to elbow all 
along the line. The best place to learn Christian federation 
is on the battlefield of the Christian service. Then, brethren, 
when we come near the Master in our spiritual life, our rela- 
tions to one another will be adjusted also. All the minor 
things will sink out of sight. Somebody has said that if you 
cut a circle into an indefinite number of pieces and want to 
reconstruct it, take the radius from a common center and the 
measurement you get will drop every part into its place. 
There is our example. Let us take our measurements, not 
from the schools but by the shortening radii of our relation 
to Jesus Christ. It will be foot to foot, and hand to hand, 
and heart to heart, and the circle of Christian faith and eo- 
operation will be complete. 


Following Dr. Thompson’s address Bishop Talbot spoke 
briefly, saying: 

I do not think that I can add anything to what Dr. Thomp- 
son has said except to say that the greatest motive I think to 
devotion and renewed consecration in the matter of evangeliza- 
tion of our own country and strengthening our church, not 
only in the large cities and the mining camps, but in the 
smaller towns and villages all through our republic, the great 
motive for Home Missions ought to be the high ultimate mis- 
sionary motive of conquering the world. It is quite evident 
the stronger we are at home, the more we.bring the people 
around us into loving touch with our Saviour and earnest 
sympathetic relations to the Christian Church and increase the 
strength of the home church, by throwing every possible in- 
terest into Home Missions, the more we shall be able to do in 
carrying gladness and cheer and liberty and the peace of the 


ee ee Oe 


— ee eee eee 


~~ = 


EVANGELISM AND HOME MISSIONS. 417 


Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. The whole 
matter of co-operation of religious affairs, co-operation of reli- 
gious work, has been largely solved, as far as the foreign field 
is concerned. 

You know how Bishop Brent has been able so to arrange 
the Philippine territory, that there is no clash or friction with 
other religious workers, and what a great work God is enabling 
him to do. You know in China where we have five or six 
Bishops of our communion, how that territory has been divid- 
ed among the Christian bodies most amicably. The same in 
Japan and other parts of the foreign field, so that our friends 
in the foreign field, have set us a very wholesome and ex- 
cellent example. 

Perhaps it may be a sort of reflex action of the example or 
possibly because we realize how important it is in order finally 
to overcome the prejudices of the unconverted world that we 
should present a solid phalanx to the heathen, that this great 
movement in behalf of Christian reunion and Christian feder- 
ation and Christian fellowship has received such a great im- 
pulse in the last two years in our own country and all over 
the world. Let us thank God for it, and pray in our homes, 
as well as in our churches, that that which has so auspiciously 
begun may grow more and more until this great impetus may 
be world wide and men may be able to catch a vision of the 
glory and peace which shall come into our hearts and rejoice 
our divine Saviour, when the prayer of our divine Lord can 
be realized. No subject can be nearer to our hearts than this 
matter of bringing the Gospel home to the people who live in 
our country. 

I sometimes say to the people of my diocese to do all they 
ean for the kingdom of God in the neglected places. The 
great motive is that you may be stronger, more devoted, un- 
selfish and generous in your worship of Jesus Christ, and 
there shall flow greater and greater influence and strength 
for the furtherance of the Gospel throughout the world. 

The American Church is becoming more and more a great 
missionary body. Nearly all of our large bodies, churches, 
have a very meritorious and very noble missionary interest 
so that in respect to our American Christianity, for which we 


418 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


sometimes feel like apologizing because of its many divisions, 
I think we ought to be very thankful that the missionary 
fervor and missionary spirit animating the heart of the 
American people is so strong and that our American Chris- 
tianity has carried untold blessings into China, Japan and the 
Islands of the Sea. We may thank God, therefore, that the 
Home Missions of our own country are developing so much 
strength and power, year after year, that as a people we are 
showing our appreciation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by ex- 
tending its benefits to those who have been without it. 


= 


Young People and Federation 


The Characteristic of Youth a Desire For Action 
By Mr. FRANKLIN SPENCER EDMONDS. 


It is a very great ‘pleasure and privilege to be invited to 
preside over a meeting that has so much in it of promise as 
this meeting of the young people’s organizations. There is 
no age limit to-night, 
either at the maximum 
or the minimum,—for, 
after all, the test of age 
is the state of one’s 
heart, and so long as the 
heart is young, we are 
all eligible for member- 
ship in young people’s 
organizations. It seems 
to me that there is a 
peculiar appropriate- 
ness that in this great 
congress, there should 
be one evening set apart 
for the young people’s 
organizations, for in the 
past half century the 
young people have 

_ MR. FRANKLIN SPENCER EDMONDS. learned to work beyond 

denominational _ lines, 
they have learned to cast aside small differences and to 
jom hands with fervor and with faith for the advancement 
of the common cause. 

We in the city of Philadelphia have had with us for more 
than half a century our Young Men’s Christian Association, 
a splendid example of the power of federation; The Young 
People’s Saciety of Christian Endeavor; The Brotherhood of 


419 


420 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Andrew and Philip, founded twenty years ago, whose founder 
is one of the delegates to this convention; all of these are 
illustrations of the young people’s organizations which have 
gone beyond denominational lines, and in the disregarding 
of doctrinal or traditional differences, there has resulted power 
and progress. It is but natural that this should be the ease. 
.The characteristic of youth is a desire for action; its domi- 
nant note is a sight of the vision; it is the high springing de- 
sire to accomplish things; and when we get to work with our 
brother we have no time to analyze hair-splitting differences 
between him and ourselves. When we join hands to advance 
a common cause, when we throw ourselves and our hearts and 
our souls into advancing some great work, there is no time 
for subtle analysis as to what may be the tradition of his edu- 
cation or how it differs from the tradition of ours. By join- 
ing hands in work, we afford the truest example of federation. 
Reference has been made again and again during the de- 
liberations of this convention to the appropriateness of its 
meeting in our historic city, here where 132 years ago there 
was first asserted that principle of federation. You remember 
what Elisha Mulford said, when he was trying to define the 
spirit of American life. Said he: ‘‘A nation is a group of 
people who will to be one.’’ It is the national will that counts 
in the world of politics, and so our meeting to-night is not so 
much an evidence of a platform or a constitution, nor even 
of a corporation, but it is the evidence of the Christian will, 
the will to be one in the accomplishment of the work of the 
Master. 
Now, the duty of a chairman is not to speak, but, rather, to 
place himself under restraint, and from this time forward I 
pledge you a faithful performance of my duties in this regard. 
The first speaker upon the evening’s program is one who has 
come to us from some distance away and who within a very 
few minutes’ time must return to his native city. It gives 


me very great pleasure to present to this audience Mr. W. N. - 


Hartshorn, of Boston, the chairman of the Executive Commit- 
tee of the International Sunday-school Association. 


—— 


Put Yourself in Their Place 


Think the Thoughts of Others 
By Mr. W. N. HartsHorn. 


If you knew the young lady with whom I am to take break- 
fast to-morrow morning in Boston, barring accidents, you 
would think I would not delay a moment in going to the 
train. 

I wonder how many people in this company are members 
of the Sunday-school. All who are, raise your hands (nearly 
all raised). Oh, it is a Sunday-school meeting, so I feel bet- 
ter. Now, Christian Endeavor and the Sunday-school are 
twin brothers, or sisters, as you please. I have believed for a 
long time that these two organizations should be one, to the 
extent that each would stimulate the other to do better work. 

Now the word ‘‘endeavor’’ suggests an honest, earnest, in- 
telligent effort; that is, in business. It is also true in the 
King’s business. If we place ourselves in the same attitude 
towards the work to which God calls us that we place ourselves 
in relation to our employer or to the business to which we are 
giving our lives, then the Lord’s business will prosper. There 
are just two or three suggestions then I must go. Personal 
work pays. Pays in the home. Why, if you give personal 
attention to the good wife, how lovely everything is, and 
how it pays. If you pay personal attention to the mother and 
the father—I wish you could have seen the delightful sight I 
witnessed in Dr. Bailey’s home a few minutes ago. Why, he 
cannot help.being a good man, with such a wife and such 
daughters. Well, it is because personal attention is given 
to those we love and whom we would serve. If you as Sun- 
day-school teachers, pay personal attention to the class over 
which God has put you, to each member of the class, to just 
that extent your work will prosper and the class will prosper 
and you will lead them one by one into the Kingdom of God. 


*Chairman Executive Committee of the International Sunday-School 
Associations, Boston, Mass. 


421 


422 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Let us go back to 1780, when Robert Raikes gathered from 
“Sooty Alley,’’ Gloucester, England, a group of children 
whose faces were steeped in the very essence of crime and ig- 
norance and degradation, to that little group in that room 
where they were first taught by three poor women the first 
things in the spelling book. Now, come down to 1818, when 
there was a Sunday-school established in a church in Con- 
necticut by a little girl who gathered a few children and 
taught them in the gallery. <A strange fact, that at that time 
the pastor and the deacons thought that such proceedings ~were 
desecrating God’s house, and so the girl with her little group 
was ordered out of the church. The young girl fled to the 
school-house and there continued to teach her elass. By 
and by she was invited back to the church. Years went by, 
and when the Sunday-school celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, 
twenty-six names were read of those who had gone from that 
Sunday-school into the ministry and to the mission field, and 
she herself had become the wife of a missionary. There was 
personal effort, with results that only that kind of service 
will give. 

There is another thing. If we would serve wisely and well 
we must put ourselves in the place of those whom we would 
serve. That was Christ’s method. He did not speak from the 
clouds, but He spoke on the earth with men and to men, to 
the home, and to the inmates of the home. Everywhere Jesus 
met those whom He would serve on a level with them. A few 
years two people were put in charge of a primary department. 
The first thing they did was to sit, as it were, in the seats of 
the children from Sabbath to Sabbath, and as they studied the 
lesson from week to week, they looked at the whole problem 
from the point of view of the child, sitting in the seat of the 
child, thinking the thoughts of the child, living in the homes 
of the children. In that way that deparimes grew, because 
there was the personal touch. 

I must close with this simple story. It isn’t elegant, but it 
has influenced me. In a certain rural district lived a family, 
very poor, whose principal support was a donkey. That don- 
key was lost; and, oh, we cannot understand, unless we have 
ourselves been poor and the principal means of our living has 


YOUNG PEOPLE IN FEDERATIVE WORK. 423 


been taken from us, what that meant to this family. So large 
a place did that family hold in the hearts of the neighbors that 
when it was known they all gathered at one place and began 
a thorough systematic search for the lost donkey. 

In that same neighborhood there was a young man, who was 
not very bright,—so simple was he that they did not take him 
into account. He saw that something unusual was going on, 
and he asked what it all meant. He was told. He asked, 
*“ Where was the donkey last seen?’’ He was told. He quietly 
went away, and by and by came back leading the donkey. 
When asked to explain how he found the animal that no one 
else could find, he said: ‘‘That was simple enough. You told 
me where the donkey was last seen. I went to that place, and 
I thought, if I were a donkey where would I go? and I went 
to the place and found him.”’ 

Now, let us put ourselves in the place of those whom we 
would seek and find, and think their thoughts and go and 
touch them by the hand and by the heart and by the voice, 
and lead the lost to our Father’s house. 


The Chairman: We want Mr. Hartshorn to take the greet- 
ings of this great audience to his young lady friend in Boston, 
and we want to suggest to Mr. Hartshorn that the next time 
he comes to Philadelphia, to bring the young lady along, and 
then he ean stay over Sunday with us. 

It is a matter of special pleasure to Philadelphians that on 
the program to-night there are the names of two whom form- 
erly we grew to know and to love as pastors to large congrega- 
tions in this city. It is, therefore, a special pleasure to wel- 
come home again the Rev. Dr. George Elliott of the Board of 
Home Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 


An Age of Change And Activity 
Applied Christianity, The Cry of the Day 


By Rev. Georce Exvuiorr, D.D.* 


I am here in another’s place. I am sure those of you who 
know him will share in my regret that at this time you have 
not the privilege to come in contact with the charming per- 

‘sonality and come under 
the spell of the elo- 
quence of my friend Dr. 
Mitchell of Chicago. 

It has seemed to me, . 
as I have been sitting 
here, that this meeting 
is in some ways one of 
the most significant of 
all the series held dur- 
ing the sessions of the 
Council, not that at this 
time we shall plan any 
special legislation or lay 
out any special forms of 
activity, but because in 
a meeting like this we 
have the promise of the 
success of our endeay- 

THE REV. GEORGE ELLIOTT, D.D. ors. The old men have 
been dreaming dreams, 

but their dreams will come to nothing unless the young men 
see visions, and that which those of us who are older in years 
have come to as a result of experience in Christian work we 
would indeed feel helpless to carry out if we could not pass 
the message on to these younger, stronger hands and feel that 


*Field Secretary of the Board of Home Missions of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 


424 


YOUNG PEOPLE IN FEDERATIVE WORK. 425 


the seed planted to-day shall produce the harvests of the fu- 


ea oure, e 


In that very picturesque and very stirring speech this 
morning made by Prof. Steiner, he humorously expressed his 
appreciation of the value of funerals. Certainly there is noth- 
ing that gives us a greater hope for the world than this; that 
God does not keep the same old failures to do the work for- 
ever; that He buries them and empanels a new jury in each 
generation to try over the case and bring in a new verdict; 
and so the world in its weariness and its discouragements and 
its disillusionments, is all the time ealling for youth. It is 
calling for new hands to help, new brains to think, and new 
hearts to feel. The Church, perhaps more than any other in- 
stitution, must realize at all times its need of youth. A 
church without the young would be like a forest without bird 
song, like an ocean without tides, like a June without roses, 
like a garden without flowers, like a family without babies. 
It is m the vision of what this idea of federated and united 
action for the Christian Church may be when it has passed 
from the hands of some of us that perhaps are still in the en- 
slavement in and enchantment of old prejudices, into those 
new hands which have been differently educated from some 
of us who were very carefully trained ecclesiastically and in- 
stitutionally —it is in that hope that I look into your faces to- 
night. 

The age in which we live is characterized by two very op- 
posite tendencies. On one side, on the thought side, it is an 
age of great change. The sovereign power of criticism, of 
historical study, is digging away at the basis of all old faiths, 
institutions, and I suppose there has never been a time that 
men held so lightly the creeds, the dogmas, the propositions, 
of the past, and were less enslaved by its institutions. Now, 
that is only one side of it. While that is true of the Church, 
that to-day it is less theological, less doctrinal, less ecclesias- 
tical, than ever in all the history of the world, there never was 
a time when the church was more practically active. There 
never was a generation in which so many crowns have been 
laid at the feet of Jesus Christ. Forms are decadent, but 
erescent life is triumphant everywhere. 


496 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Now, what does that mean? That means that we have in 
the young people of to-day a generation that has grown up 
under the influence of a peculiar intellectual and spiritual 
atmosphere, an atmosphere in which the metaphysical forms 
of religious truth have little power and little grip upon the 
mind, an atmosphere in which the walls and the chains of old 
institutions have little power to hold us, but an atmosphere 
in which there is most tremendous activity religiously and high 
spiritual vision. This makes me believe that this principle of 
federated action which I dare to believe for myself has as its 
far off goal the corporate unity of the Christian Church, that 
this can be safely committed to the young people of our gen- 
eration. For myself, I trust I am young enough to feel with 
many of you on that point. 

There is, however, a difference between youth and age. Age 
lives more in reflection, more in memory. It is continually 
hanging on to the hind legs of-antiquity. It is only here and 
there that you find a man like this patriarch who honors us 
with his presence to-night,* who beneath the December snows 
of age carries the heart of June, a man whose eyes have only 
been slightly dimmed on earth to have a private inward vision, 
this white rose of our spiritual chivalry, with hardly a petal 

dropped because of age and not one soiled because of sin. 
They are not all like that. I know many an old man who is 
actually even a useful brake on the wheels of progress. The 
fact of it is, as we go along in years we reach the experience 
of failure. 

We know what it is to be disappointed, we know what it is 
to be beaten and whipped in the fight; we sing, ‘‘Oh, never- 
more, nevermore shall the freshness of the heart come back 
like dew,’’ and 


‘*Backward, turn backward, O Time in thy flight, 
Make me a child again just for to-night.’’ 


But youth fronts the morning. Youth attempts battles be- 
cause it never has been beaten, and the men that really win 
victories are the men who do not know it is possible to be 


*Bishop Whitaker, of Philadelphia. 


YOUNG PEOPLE IN FEDERATIVE WORK. 427 


whipped. There is an old motto that has often been quoted, 
““Old men for counsel, young men for war,’’ but did you ever 
refiect how much more fighting we need than advice in this 
world? Why, one wise old man like the one that sits on this 
platform can give enough advice for a whole congregation of 
youth like this. The fact of it is, if any of you feel a con- 
suming vacuum within you that needs to be filled up with ad- 
vice, you come to me. I can give you an outfit. I can just 
load you up with advice that has been given me. It is second- 
hand advice, but it is just as good as new, for I have never 
used it. 

Youth is the fighting force of the world. In one of Dis- 
raeli’s ‘‘Young England’’ novels, those very remarkable stor- 
ies in which he strives to stir politically the heart of the youth 
of England, he says in one brilliant passage that the history 
of heroes is the history of youth, and then goes on to give ex- 
amples. I cannot just now recall his examples, but I can think 
of some of my own. Take that bad business of fighting, and 
the men that we use for kindling wood, for powder, are nearly 
always young, beardless men. 

That Grand Army that we honor every year, the greatest 
army that went to war, whose decrepit and feeble forms hmp 
down our streets on the 30th day of May,—when they went to 
war were beardless boys, for I, a little boy, saw them go. The 
victors in life have been the young. The greatest general of 
ancient times, Hannibal, who made the Roman city, the eter- 
nal city, tremble from its Alpine battlements, did it at the 
age of twenty-five; and the great Napoleon led the armies of 
Italy and had already displayed his marvellous genius at the 
age of twenty-seven. The record is full of them. It startled 
- me just the other day in reading the story of some of the gen- 
erals of our late Civil War to note that every last one of them 
who achieved any remarkable success was far younger when 
he went out and was commissioned as brigadier or major gen- 
eral than I am to-day. It makes me feel old, and I am not 
old. 

And it is not only in that bad business of fighting, but 
everywhere the world is filled with the record of youthful 
achievement. There comes to me a day when I stood in the 


428 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


imperial city of Rome and went out to visit the Protestant 
cemetery and found two graves there, one of Perey Bysshe 
Shelley, heart of hearts, of poetry all compact. There the 
greatest genius of imagination that ever handled English, that 
dreamed fair dreams, passed away before he was thirty. And 
not a stone’s throw from his is another grave, the grave of 
John Keats, and upon his tombstone the words he said should 
be written there: ‘‘Here lies one whose name is writ in 
water.’’ It was writ in water, but the water was the tears of all 
true lovers. He died at twenty-three. Raphael, supreme, artis- 
tic genius, passed away with a lifetime of work done, at the 
early age of thirty-seven. I might go into the church and show 
you the same record. The men of the past, the men of the 
good old times, all them, were young fellows when they did the 
big things that we talk about. 

But I want to speak to you young people about One other 
whom I do not place beside these, whom we dare not call man, 
although He was man through and through to the very heart 
of Him. Those feet that trod the dusty paths of Judea were 
a young man’s feet, still strong for running races and for 
marching weary marches; that brow that the cruel thorns tore 
was a young man’s brow, covering a young man’s brain full 
of the big thoughts of young manhood; that heart in which 
the soldier’s spear found out the treasures of love, was a 
young man’s heart, pulsing with youth’s high passions and 
strong feelings, but purified by His touch with the unseen 
Purity. Ah, by the young Christ, by His everlasting youth, 
by His eternal hope that fronts forever the mornings of 
all the world, I call to you, the young, to gather for His ser- 
vice and to fulfil His ministry of love and of salvation in the 
world. ; 

Our age has also transformed its notion of Christian experi- 
ence. It is but a few years ago when the constant testimony 
you could hear in all our religious meetings was the joyful 
and fervid acclamation, ‘‘I am saved.’’ Very pleasant tidings 
and good to hear any day, but a new spirit has come. I trust 
we are not less conscious that we are saved, but we are -con- 
scious that we were saved not only from something but to 
something. The slogan of to-day is applied Christianity,—a 


YOUNG PEOPLE IN FEDERATIVE WORK. 499 


Christianity set to work. The Christian salvation is a salva- 
tion from selfishness. The Christian salvation is a salvation to 
service, and that is the new note. No longer is the erass sel- 
fishness of a personal salvation allowed to sum up the totality 
of Christian duty. To-day the call of the cross is upon us. 
When the nails pierced His hand, that bought your hands and 
mine for work and service; when the thorns tore his brow, 
that bought our brains to think and plan for Him, and when 
the soldier’s spear found out the life blood of His heart and 
tapped the fountain of His love, that bought our hearts to love 
Him to the very last. To-night, to-night, O young people, let 
us light the torch of our service and our love at the fire of 
Jesus’ passion, and then let us burn to the socket! 


The Chairman: Our first two speakers have occasionally 
referred to young people as you, as if to indicate that they 
counted them as a class apart from themselves. Our last two 
speakers may not indulge m any such language. We have 
the pleasure of having with us some of ourselves, who un- 
questionably, if they refer to young people, must make use of 
the language ‘‘we’’ in describing them. It gives me great 
pleasure to introduce the Rey. Paul S. Leinbach, General 
Secretary of the Board of Home Missions of the Reformed 
Church, and pastor of the First Reformed Church in Easton. 
Penna. 


Young People and the Kingdom 


The Church Needs Them as Soul-winners 
By tHe Rev. Pau S. Lemnsacu.* 


It is a great thing to be young in this young century, and 
to have a part in the work of the church of Jesus Christ in 
this great young country. It never meant quite so much to 
live as it does-to-day. I 
quite agree with the dis- 
tinguished chairman of 
this meeting that it is 
eminently fitting that in 
connection with this 
Federal Council of the 
Churches of Christ in 
America there should be 
a meeting of the young 
people and for the 
young people, for if it 
had been left to a vote 
of the young people of 
our churches, this Fed- 
eral Council would have 
met years ago. In the 
great interdenomina- 
tional organizations we 
have for years been 
working together and 
we have learned to know each other and to love each other, and 
the young people of America are not afraid of the ‘‘divisive 

denominational distinctions’’ which have kept the friends of 
~ our Divine Lord apart and prevented them from presenting a 
united front to the common enemy. 


THE REV. PAUL S. LEINBACH. 


*Secretary of the Board of Home Missions of the Reformed Church, 
Easton, Penna. 
430 


YOUNG PEOPLE IN FEDERATIVE WORK. 431 


Years ago two ships met in perilous times on the high seas 
in the hours of the night and began to bombard one another, 
and when the gray dawn of morning came the sails had been 
torn to shreds and the masts had been shattered and the decks 
covered with blood and with the bodies of the wounded and 
the dying, and then they found that both ships were flying the 
English fiag and brother had been slaying brother. I take it 
that this is In some sense a picture of the history of the 
Church, and I believe that it is the best proof that the world is 

“getting better and that we are emerging out of the darkness 
of prejudice and bigotry into the light of a new and holier 
day that now the great bodies of the Christian Church are 
coming together on one platform and are taking each other 
by the hand and are ealling each other brother, not with 
mincing and halting and stammering words, but with all that 
that term implies. That is what the young people have be- 
leved for years, and we thank God that we are living now 
in-a time like this when such things are made possible and 
actual. 

We remember the poet’s dream that the waves of Jordan 
would wash away the ‘‘broad brim hats’’ and the ‘‘hooks and 
eyes’’ and the ‘‘mourner’s bench’’ and the ‘‘catechisms’’ and 
the “‘confessions’’ and the ‘‘baptistries’’ and all the rest of 
the scaffolding by which the building has been erected, and 
that when we come home and walk the streets of the Eternal 
City and see the great white throne, we shall know only one 
Name, and that will be the Name of Jesus. But we have anti- 
cipated the poet’s dream, and, as the young people of Amer- 
ica, we have come together and learned to know and to love 
each other and to stand together in active and effectual Chris- 
tian work. We know that the secondary questions which di- 
vide us have never saved one soul from death, but the great 
fundamental truths which unite us are ‘‘the power of God 
unto salvation, to everyone that believeth.’? And so we cry 
“‘amen’’ to the truth gloriously expressed by the poet: 


‘Our little systems have their day, 
They have their day and cease to be; 
They are but broken lights of Thee, 
And Thou, O Lord, art more than they!’’ 


432 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


That great wizard of modern invention, Mr. Edison, is said 
to have walked some years ago along the shores of the ocean 
and ground his teeth in impotence because he thought of the 
tremendous forces that there seemed to be going to waste as 
the waves were washing themselves up against the shore, and 
he is said to have remarked, ‘‘When we can once harness 
those tremendous forces, then will come the Golden Age of 
Electricity !’’ And I am sure that when we can harness fully 
to the cross of Jesus Christ the tremendous forces and poten- 
tialities that lie in the young people of America, to-night, then 
will come the Golden Age of the Christian Church. 

I heard a college president who is a member of this Council 
give this defence of football some years ago. He said that 
there is a certain amount of deviltry in every college student, 
and he preferred that they should work it out on the foot- 
ball field rather than on the faculty and the president. We 
may not all agree with that logic, but I am sure that we will 
all agree that there is lodged in the young men and women of 
this nation a tremendous vital force, a marvellous vigor and 
enthusiasm, and that if this is not expended in the interests of 
the Kingdom of God, it will be expended in the interests of the 
world; and it is the business of the Church of Jesus Christ to 
command that energy, to marshal that force, and to use it in 
such a way as will be most effectual for the redemption of the 
nation and the evangelization of the world. 

It is the business of the Church to win the young people. 
The time has gone by when we ean say, ‘‘The doors of the 
church are open. Let them come in!’’ Yes, the doors of the 
saloon and the theatre and the gambling hell and the elub 
house and every other institution among men that is designed 
to drag men down away from God—these doors are open six 
and seven days of every week. No, the Church of Jesus Christ 
must compel the young people to come in by the persuasion of 
active love, and nobody is better qualified to bring in the 
young people who are outside of the church than the young 
people who are in the Church of Jesus Christ to-day. 

But we are not only to win these young people. We are 
to do something for them after they have joined the church. 
Do you know, I sometimes think that a great many of our 


YOUNG PEOPLE IN FEDERATIVE WORK. 433 


young Christians are spiritually neglected. We shudder with 
horror when we think of parents abandoning their child, leav- 
ing their little one at the door step, but it is no worse for a 
parent to abandon a child than for the Church, which is the 
mother of us all, to give birth to her sons and daughters and 
then to refuse to give them the nourishment and the training 
which they need and which they must have that these ‘‘babes 
in Christ’? may grow to be strong men and women. And I 
am convinced that there is not enough real effort, on the part 
of the Church to-day, to win and to hold the young people. 
We need a logical system of Christian nurture, and the wis- 
dom and enthusiasm to use it. Let us speak not so much about 
what the young people should do for the Church as what the 
Church should do to create an atmosphere in which the young 
people can make the most of themselves and of their relation- 
ship to the Church. We have said that the last few decades 
have been a unique time in the history of Christianity so far 
as the activity of the young people is concerned. That is true, 
but I believe that we can show that the ‘‘boom time’’ is about 
over. We have gotten down now to the fundamentals. We 
have come now to the time and the place where this great 
problem must be studied and where the real relationship of the 
work of the young people to the maintenance of the Kingdom 
of God must be understood. 

The little girl who fell out of bed some time ago, you re- 
member, was accosted by her mother, who said, ‘‘ Why, dar- 
ling, how did you happen to fall out of bed?’’ and she an- 
swered, ‘‘Why, mamma, I fell asleep too near the place where 
I got in.’’ And, do you know, that is the trouble with a great 
many church members. It is the business of the Church, if 
possible, to keep the members awake, to make these young peo- 
ple who are spiritually borne in her bosom to understand that 
there is something for them to do, and not only to make them 
feel that there is a work for them to do, but also to give them 
direction in that work, so that they may make themselves most 
effectual. It is to be feared that in many congregations we 
have young people’s societies merely for the sake of being 
““up-to-date’’ and of having the credit of being active and 


434 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


well-organized rather than with a definite spiritual aim in 
view. 

I remember that it is said of the president of a great uni- 
versity that some time ago he came rushing out of a depot and 
got into a cab and said to the cabman, ‘‘Hurry up! hurry 
up! I am in a great hurry!’’ and the cabman whipped up 
his horse and started down one street and up another avenue 
and out on the boulevard and droye his horse as hard as he 
could; and after a while this university president put out his 
head and said, ‘‘Are we almost there?’’ and the cabman 
shouted, ‘‘Blamed if I know. Where did you want to go to?’’ 

There are a great many people who are making a lot of fuss 
and fury, but if you ask them, ‘‘ Where do you want to go to? 
What is the point that you have in mind? What is the aim 
that you have in view? What destination?’ they can’t tell 
you; and there is too much of that sort of activity in our 
churches to-day. I believe that the great, the supreme duty, 
of the Christian Church now is so to employ the unquestioned 
talents, the unquestioned abilities, the unquestioned power and 
vigor and enthusiasm of the young manhood and womanhood 
of the Christian Church along such wise and practical and 
efficient lines that their work will count mightily for the ad- 
vancement of the Kingdom of God and for the redemption of 
the nation, and the young people will respond to the call. 
Whenever there is pointed out to them a definite thing that 
they can do for the Kingdom of God, they will respond, and 
in this great work of standing together as one united church 
and working for the redemption of the nation, the young peo- 
ple, as ever, will be found to take their part, and to do nobly 
their duty in the sight of God. 


The Chairman: Those of my brethren who have come 
from other cities and places have doubtless discovered that we 
think that Philadelphia is a pretty fine place, but if you were 
better acquainted with us you would discover that there is one 
group of Philadelphians who live out in a suburb called Ger- 
mantown, who think that Germantown is a little bit finer even 
than Philadelphia. I am not one of that number, conse- 
quently I have had some difficulty in understanding this 


i i i 


YOUNG PEOPLE IN FEDERATIVE WORK. 435 


Germantown pride. ‘Two or three years ago, when I was 
staying in Germantown for the first time and I asked my 
good host, ‘‘Why is it that you think Germantown is a little 
bit better than any other portion of the world?’’ his re- 
sponse was, “‘ Because we have Dr. Charles R. Erdman to work 
and to serve among us.’’ In the absence of Bishop Bell, who 
has been unavoidably detained from attending the sessions of 
the Federal Council, Dr. Erdman, scholar, teacher, leader and 
inspirer of young men and a faithful preacher of the Gospel, 
has kindly consented to take his place. 


Congratulation and Counsel 
A Vision Which Calls for Obedience 


By THE Rev. CHarues R. ErRpMAN.* 


After the eloquent and inspiring words you have heard, it 
might be sufficient for me, in taking the place of the bishop 
whose absence we regret, simply to pronounce the benediction ; 
and yet, as I have been 
graciously requested to 
speak in his place I am 
very glad to accept the 
opportunity of express- 
ing to these young peo- 
ple—I would that I 
might express through 
them to the young peo- 
ple who constitute the 
young people’s societies 
of America—a word of 
most cordial congratula- 
tion and just a word of 
parting counsel. 

I congratulate them 
upon all that they have 
done and ean do along 
the lines so helpfully 
suggested by the other 
; speakers; and specially 
upon what they have done in this particular sphere in which 
our thoughts and hearts are moving. on the occasion of this 
great Federal Council of the churches. I should like to ex- 
press, in a few words, before we separate, my congratulations 
in view of the large part which the young people’s societies 


THE REV. CHARLES R. ERDMAN. 


*Professor of Practical Theology in the Theological Seminary of the 
Presbyterian Church at Princeton, N. J 


436 


YOUNG PEOPLE IN FEDERATIVE WORK. 437 
have already accomplished in the matter of church unity. . I 
should like to congratulate you upon what you have seen, and 
also upon what you have done. You have seen some very 
wonderful things in this city during the present week. You 
have witnessed some of the most remarkable expressions of 
Christian unity. These are the culmination of a long process. 
Even America has not always been a land of Christian fed- 
eration, or of religious tolerance. The first speaker took us 
back to the year 1780. They tell us that, at about that time, 
in the town of Stockbridge, the Congregational Church was 
the established Church, and in case a citizen of Stockbridge 
did not wish to pay for the support of the Congregational 
Church, he was given a certificate which read as follows: 

‘“This is to certify that Mr. A. B. has renounced the Chris- 
tian religion and has joined the Episcopal church.”’ 

Standing in the place of one bishop, I can rejoice with an- 
other bishop, in the hght which has dawned on America; and 
in. the fact that we are going on toward a brighter and a 
brighter dawn; but my special congratulation would be this: 
That the young people’s organizations of America—I mean, 
of course, the Young Men’s Christian Association, the Young 
People’s Societies of Christian Endeavor, our Brotherhoods, 
our Sabbath-school Associations, have prepared a generation 
for the movement which is now coming more and more rap- 
idly toward its splendid fruitage. I say these organizations 
have been sowing the seed, or preparing the soil, if you will, 
and we are beginning to reap something of the golden harvest ; 
and if I say that this has been done in large measure by the 
‘ young people’s associations, I do not for a moment wish to 
forget the work achieved by organizations of older people; but 
I rejoice with you in the large part which your associations 
_ have played. 

Then I want to congratulate you upon the vision which be- 
eins to dawn toward the future. As we have just been told, 
your faces are toward the East and toward the sunrise. You 
are looking for better things still; and if you can be con- 
eratulated upon having seen this Federal Council, I believe 
some of you are to be congratulated upon what you are to 
live to see. I am a prophet; I am the son of a prophet; I am 


438 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


now laboring in a school of the prophets; but, for all that, I 
never dare prophecy; but if I dared, I might venture some 
thing along this line: that there are some here who have seen 
the first Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in Amer- 
ica who may. live to see the first Annual Council of the Church 
of Christ in America. 

Well, now, if we are moving on toward larger things in co- 
operation and fellowship and union, I believe that that or- 
ganization represented here to-night by Dr. Bailey and by Mr. 
Hartshorn, is to play by no means the least significant part; 
because it is our Sabbath-school that is turning the minds and 
the hearts of our young people to the Bible, the charter of the 
Church of Jesus Christ; and, as we study the charter, there 
emerge from it such great principles as these: the unity of 
the Church; the mission of the Church; the Divine Head of 
the Church; and, if I should speak a word of counsel, it would 
be along this line, namely: Let us seek, as members of young 
people’s societies, to emphasize more and more definitely and 
continually the existing union of the one Church of Christ. 
There is but one Church, we all admit that,—a church ¢om- 
posed of all in every land who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ 
and seek to serve Him; that is the one universal church. Now, 
let’ us seek to keep in mind the thought of that one Church, 
and then we will be aided in expressing an existing unity by 
common effort and by manifested love. We are apt to forget 
that unity; sometimes we are almost startled as we wake up 
and rub our eyes and say, ‘‘ Why, is it true after all? Was I 
in the same church with that man ?’’ 

A previous speaker alluded to a battlefield and to a mistake 
on the battlefield; and also to iniquity of football. Hector 
Cowan was about the greatest football star that ever stepped 
upon the gridiron. He was not only a giant; but a Christian 
gentleman. They tell us that after graduation Hector had 
a most ferocious encounter with a burglar, as he supposed. 
That he was awakened one night by a footstep in the hall; 
creeping out of his bed and into the hall and seeing in the 
dim light a man moving, he grappled with him in the dark- 
ness. The two rolled over and over upon the floor; and then ~ 
someone coming in with a light saw Hector and his brother 


YOUNG PEOPLE IN FEDERATIVE WORK. 439 


embracing one another in a teriffic grasp. So, sometimes, after 
we have debated fiercely with men on very minute theological 
problems, we rub our eyes and say, “‘ Why, after all we are 
. brothers. Let us love each other a little more.’’ I would that 
we might more and more emphasize this fact of an existing 
unity. 

When Jesus Christ was kneeling under the very shadow of 
the Cross, He prayed, ‘‘ That they all may be one, as we are;’’ 
and we sometimes say that the realization of that prayer is 
far in the future. Let me tell you, my dear friends, the truest 
realization of that prayer is in the present, as it was in the 
past, when, on the day of Pentecost, ‘“by one Spirit’’ the fol- 
lowers of Christ were ‘‘all baptized into One Body.’’ So 
when we see the aged Paul, kneeling in the shadows of his 
Roman dungeon and praying, he does not pray for church 
unity, not at all. When he has lifted up his voice in thanks- 
giving to the one ‘‘Father, from whom the whole family in 
heaven and earth is named,’’ he turns and says to the follow- 
ers of Jesus Christ, ‘‘Be careful to maintain the unity, which 
exists, in the bond of peace, for,’’ he said, ‘‘there is one body.’’ 
There is only one. ‘‘There is one Spirit and one hope of your 
calling, one faith, one Lord, one baptism, one God and Father 
of all.’’ There is one body. Let us always remember that, 
and rejoice in that, and praise God for that. 

Well, then, what remains for us to do? Why have this 
great Council? I will tell you why, simply, that we may the 
more and more perfectly express that unity which now exists, 
and more wisely co-operate in our common service as members 
of one body. The more we remember this existing unity the 
more certain we will be to express it in outward forms; and 
the very first thing we can do by way of expression, and the 
thing that will bring us most closely together, is to remem- 
ver that the mission of the Christian Church is a definite mis- 
sion, and that as we go forth to labor, we labor together for 
one Lord and Master. We are told that when Lord Macaulay 
eame back from India he said that ‘‘after he had seen men 
worshipping cows he didn’t think it mattered quite so much 
as to the different ways in which men worshipped God.’’ And 
when we look out upon the need of the world and remember 


440 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


that we have been sent with the Gospel to meet the need of 
that world, we do not think it matters quite so much how men 
may worship their one common Master. Nothing can bring 
us more closely together or more speedily together than to go 
out and to labor in the Master’s name. 

I say, then, last of all, seeking by ever closer co-operation, 
seeking by ever closer unity, to serve the Master, let us go out 
from this house to-night laying down our very lives upon the 
altar of His service. Nothing will bring men so close together 
as to get close to Jesus Christ. I have seen, in this room this 
week, groups of Methodists in cne corner and Baptists in an- 
other and Episcopalians in another. I have even seen the 
Presbyterians occupying the stage. Let me ask how such 
groups could be brought together most speedily. Would it be 
by sending messages from one corner to another to decide 
which corner all should occupy? The quickest way would be 
to have our distinguished moderator stand at that central 
point and eall for all to come toward him. _So if we wish to 
get nearer together as Christians, the very first thing to do 
is to get nearer to Jesus Christ, and to take our lives and lay 
them down before Him. We shall realize and express a unity 
as we are in reality united in Him. 

We have read again and again of the opposing armies which 
united in singing; first the army on this side was singing its 
hymn and the other listening; and then the army on the other 
side singing its hymn and this side listening. They could not 
unite; but you remember how it was. Out on the night wind 
there rose a voice singing: ‘‘Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to 
thy bosom fly,’’ and then you remember how voice after voice 
took up the words until two armies were singing: 


“« While the billows near me roll, 
While the tempest still is high.’” 


Ah, yes, it is when we are looking up in love to Him and 
going out with devotion to Him, it is then our hearts beat as 
one. We are not two armies; ‘‘ We are not divided; all one 
body we;’’ we are all following one Captain and when we get 
very near to Him we find ourselves very, very near together. 
They were in the same army, that poor wounded man and the 


YOUNG PEOPLE IN FEDERATIVE WORK. 44) 


little Japanese who kneeled over him and asked him if he 
could take any message home. 

““Oh, yes,’’ said the man, “‘you ecan.’’ He mentioned a 
place in northern Japan.’”’ 

**Oh,’’ said the man kneeling over him, ‘‘I live very far 
from you.’’ 

““Well, then,’’ he said, “‘I wish you would do one thing for 
me. I wish you would reach in my pocket and get out that 
little book,’’ and as he was reaching to get out the little book, 
the friend looking down upon him said, ‘‘I never saw you be- 
fore. but let me repeat this to you: ‘God so loved the world 
that He gave His only begotten Son;’ ’’ and he had gone no 
farther when the little fellow lying there looked up and said, 
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want’’; and then they 
were clasped in one another’s arms, and they were brothers, 
the living and the dying, for they had the one common Lord 
and Master. 

Let us come nearer together. We love each other, because 
we do devotedly, passionately love the Lord Jesus Christ. 


‘<Partakers of our Saviour’s grace, 
The same in mind and heart; 
Nor joy nor pain nor time nor place, 
Nor life nor death can part.’’ 


May God bless you in the service of His Son. 


The Chairman: I am sure you will all join with me in ex- 
pressing appreciation of those who have spoken to us to-night 
for the helpful, powerful and inspiring message which they 
have brought, and to the friends of the chorus and to the 
committee who have made the admirable plans for this meet- 
ing. It is a meeting of power. It is a meeting that must inspire 
to service. It is a meeting that sounds in every ear the call 
to work. 


The Church and the Workingmen 


Organized Labor Speaks for Itself o: 
By Mr. D. A. Havzs.* . 


As this is the largest gathering of workingmen I have ever 
seen in this city, and as I have been introduced to you as an 
officer of the American Federation of Labor, it may be proper 

that I say a few words 
for that organization be- 
fore presenting any of 
the distinguished men 
who are here to address 
you. 

First, I desire to ex- 
press my appreciation 
on being appointed 
chairman of this ,meet- 
ing. I consider it an 
honor; not only to my- 
self, but to my fellow 
workingmen ;, and on be- 
half of the American 
Federation of Labor, I 

‘ return our thanks and 
congratulate the Feder- 
al Council of the 

Churches of Christ in 
America for the fair 
and outspoken declarations it has made in regard to organ- 
ized labor, and for the position it has taken in favor of all 
those men, Women and children, who work in mills, mines 
and factories. The action taken by the Council is progressive; 


MR. D. A. HAYES. 


*President of the Glass Bottle Blowers’ Association of the United 
States and Canada, and the fifth Vice-President of the American Fed- 
eration of Labor, presiding at an interdenominational meeting at the 
Lyric Theatre in the interest of Church and Labor. 


442 


THE CHURCH AND THE WORKINGMAN. 443 


it is encouraging, and contains the promise and the hope of- 
more justice and better conditions for all working people; 
and as a further evidence of the solicitude that this Federal 
Council has for the welfare of organized labor, its President 
is here to address you. Therefore, I take pleasure in intro- 
ducing Bishop Hendrix, President of the Federal Council of 
the Churches of Christ in America. 

(Mr. Hayes, introducing the Rev. Charles Stelzle, spoke as 
follows :) 

Before presenting the first speaker I referred to some reso- 
lutions adopted last week in the convention of the Federal 
Council of the Churches of Christ in America. The delegates 
composing this body represented seventeen million members 
of different churches. The resolutions were presented by the 
Committee on Church and Industry and were adopted without 
a dissenting voice. They show a keen insight into social and 
industrial conditions, and are plainly in sympathy with the 
real objects and mission of the trade unions; in fact, they read 
like measures passed in a convention of the American Fed- 
eration of Labor, and as this meeting is the result of the adop- 
tion of these resolutions, they should be read. Indeed, I wish 
they could be read by every one, especially by that class of 
people who can see but one side of a question and are always 
ready to criticize labor organizations and other bodies that en- 
deavor to make the world a little better than it is. Here are 
the resolutions : 

‘*To us it seems the churches must stand: 

‘*For equal rights and complete justice for all men in 
all stations of life. 

‘‘For the right of all men to the opportunity for self- 
maintenance, a right ever to be wisely and strongly self- 
guarded against encroachments of every kind. 

‘‘For the right of workers to some protection against 
the hardships often resulting from the swift crisis of in- 
dustrial change. 

‘‘Wor the principle of conciliation and arbitration in 
industrial dissensions. 

‘*For the protection of the worker from dangerous ma- 
chinery, occupational disease, injuries and mortality. 


444 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


‘Hor the abolition of child labor. 

‘‘For such regulation of the conditions of toil for 
women as shall safe-guard the physical and moral health 

_ of the community. 

‘For the suppression of the ‘ sweating system.’ 

‘“For the gradual and reasonable reduction of the hours 
of labor ‘to the lowest practicable point, and for that de- 
gree of leisure for all which is a condition of the highest 
human life. 

‘‘For a release from employment one day in seven. 

‘For a living wage as a minimum in every industry 
and for the highest wage that each industry can afford. 

“For the most charitable industry that can in 
be devised. 

‘‘For suitable provision for the old age of the workers 
and for those incapacitated by injury. 

‘‘FHor the abatement of poverty.’’ 

‘““To the toilers of America, and to those who by or- 
ganized effort, are seeking’to lift the crushing burdens of 

_the poor, and to reduce the hardships and uphold the 
dignity of labor, this Council sends greetings of human 
brotherhood, and the pledge of sympathy and of help in 
a cause which belongs to all who follow Christ.’’ 

As stated before, these resolutions were adopted without a 
dissenting voice. 

(Bishop Hendrix: You are quite right, not a dissenting 
voice. ) 

One thing is certain, there was a practical trade unionist 
in that convention. He is with us to-day and we intend to 
make the most of him. Had we been told a few years ago that 
a convention of prominent ministers and laymen would have 
adopted such declarations, we would have doubted it, because 
—and we may as well speak frank about it—many working 
people have felt that the churches are unsympathetic, if not 
indifferent to the desires and aspirations of labor for more 
justice, and for better opportunities to realize and enjoy that 
standard of life which the very teaching of Christianity in- 
spires in the minds of men. Such doubts have been felt more 
during times of great strikes where moral as well as industrial 


Ee 


THE CHURCH AND THE WORKINGMAN. 445 


principles were at stake, and when hard pressed in great 
struggles or during long periods of enforced idleness, work- 
ingmen have looked to the church for encouragement or for 
assistance in a just cause. This desire may have come with 
the recollection of that consoling and wonderful invitation of 
the Saviour who said: ‘‘Come to me all ye who are weary and 
heavy laden, and I will refresh you.’’ 

Now, while one meets with quite a number of workingmen 
who entertain the view that churches in general are not in 
sympathy with the efforts of labor to unburden itself of cer- 
tain wrongs and abuses, we have also heard it stated, that 
trade unionists are indifferent toward the churches. It is my 
candid opinion that both sides have unconsciously exaggerated 
this phase of the question; because I can truthfully say, that 
the great majority of trade unionists are earnest church mem- 
bers, and after fifteen years of active service in the move- 
ment, I know from experience and’ observation that member- 
ship in labor organizations has made men better Christians 
and better citizens. 

The labor movement is based upon moral principles; it is 
a reform movement; were it otherwise, it could. not have with- 
stood successfully all sorts of attacks and misrepresentations. 
The main ambition of workingmen is to give their children 
that which they were denied—an education, and’ back of this 
ambition is the hope that the education will better equip them 
to bring about an improvement in the present social order; 
and consequently, infuse more Christianity into the relations 
between employers and employees. 

I have little patience with those people who try to create 
the impression that membership in a trade union lessens a 
man’s sense of loyalty to the Church, or to law. It should be 
remembered that we are all subject to the same moral and 
governmental laws; we hold to the faith and ideals taught by 
the churches and the institutions of this country, and when 
we go on strike or become involved in controversies with em- 
ployers, we are standing for, or fighting for, a principle, and 
according to the position taken by the Federal Council to- 
ward certain social and industrial evils, it is ready when 
necessary to do the very same thing. 


446 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


We do not believe, or expect, that the Church should take 
part in our disputes, but we do believe that in cases where, as 
intimated, in your declarations, industrial conditions are such 
that the moral, as well as the physical health of men, women 
and children are endangered, or where labor is contending for 
some great principle which concerns the rights and welfare 
of working people, the Church should then speak in no un- 
certain tones, or if need be, study and investigate the griev- 
ances of labor, and you will find that we as trade unionists 
shall have no fear of the outcome. 

The churches represent the moral power of the world, and 
when they condemn any social or industrial injustice or abuse, 
there will be few to oppose the stand taken. It has always 
seemed to me that the common laborers who are yet unor- 
ganized, and women and children who work long hours, at 
very poor pay, have a special claim upon the attention of the 
churches, and not always for sympathy and advice either, but 
for assistance in improving conditions that are so unjust they 
can neither be excused nor condoned. 

Ministers must not be surprised, if as a result of their ex- 
pressions in regard to child labor, and the women in mills and 
factories, some employers do not accuse them of trying ‘‘to 
run their business.’’ This is what we often hear, and would 
seem to imply that any effort to correct abuses in this diree- 
tion will bring you in conflict with somebody’s ‘“business’’; 
whereas they mean ‘‘interests.”’ 

The adoption of the resolutions on the Church and Labor; 
by the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ, will have 
a beneficent and far-reaching effect. They contain sentiments — 
that voice our common brotherhood, and will be cordially ac- 
cepted by trade unionists everywhere. To read them, makes 
us feel more kindly toward our fellowmen than does the paid 
and prejudiced articles published in the newspapers by the 
leaders of the Manufacturers’ Alliance, and while we appre- 
ciate in good faith, the advanced position taken by the Federal 
Council, we must not forget to give credit to the American 
Federation of Labor. It has agitated and borne the brunt of 
censure and misrepresentation, simply because it exposed the 
injustice and often the cruelty from which thousands of work- 


THE CHURCH AND THE WORKINGMAN. 447 


ers suffer. The truth has not always been welcome; but now 
since the Church has taken a stand against the wrongs of which 
we complain, some people may find it difficult to justify the 
way they have of running their own business. 

The churches having declared so unqualifiedly in favor of 
the real objects and missions of Organized Labor, we should as 
trade unionists show our appreciation by proving that we are 
worthy and deserving. We can best do this by earnestly co- 
operating with the churches in the great and divine work of 
making men and conditions better. This occasion is auspicious 
for the progress of our cause, and we should take advantage of 
the opportunity now presented, and do all in our power to 
keep aliye, especially here in Philadelphia, the interest aroused 
in regard to the relations between the Church and labor, as 


expressed by the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ 


in America. 


In the beginning I referred to the presence in the conven- 
tion of a practical trade unionist. He is here, and a man 
whom I am proud to regard as a friend. Some years ago he 
worked at his trade as a machinist, and still carries a card of 
the Machinists’ Union. I°am very glad that so many trade 
unionists are present to welcome and listen to one of Nature’s 
noblemen,—the Rey. Charles Stelzle. 

Mr. Stelzle is now an ordained minister of the Presbyterian 


- Church, and superintendent of its Department of Church and 


Labor. The work he is now doing is appreciated by the dif- 
ferent trade unions throughout the country. I first heard the 
gentleman four years ago when he addressed the convention 
of the American Federation of Labor at Pittsburg. He came 
as a fraternal delegate, and his sympathy and absolute sin- 
cerity made for him many friends. 

At that time Mr. Stelzle was comparatively unknown, but 
to-day few men are better known in all the industrial centres 
throughout the country. This is not only a tribute to his 
ability, but an indication that there was need for the work 
he had undertaken, and the Presbyterian Church made no 
mistake when it established a department for the study of in- 
dustrial conditions and the advancenient of labor and placed 


448 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


him in charge. I trust the day is not far distant when every 
church will establish similar departments. 

I heard Mr. Stelzle speak last month at the Denver Conven- 
tion of the American Federation of Labor. During the course 
of his remarks he said: ‘‘The Church and Labor have three 
things in common. They stand for three principles: First, 
the value of human life; second, the value of the human body ; 
and third, the development of the human soul.’’ These senti- 
ments met with a hearty and sympathetic response, and I 
know that the work he is doing is bearing good fruit. 


Christ and the Workingman 


The Seal of the Council the Hand of a Laborer 
By Bisnor HE. R. Henprix, D.D., LL.D.* 


Mr. President, we are more than twenty-one federations 
here this afternoon, for this crowded platform itself is a 
federation, and we are glad of it. The largest federation in 
the country is this federation of churches. In a telegram I 
sent to the President of the United States yesterday by order 
of this great federation of churches, I spoke of this assembly 
in session in your beautiful city as representing more than 
seventeen millions of communicants, and a population of fifty 
millions. By virtue of our being federated, we are better 
able to know each other and better able to work together for 
those great interests dear to us and dear to you. We are 
federated because One came into the world to make possible 
such a federation, and if Christ had never been here, we 
would not be here this afternoon. There would be no fed- 
erations among men, for none of that spirit of brotherhood 
that underlies all our federations is known outside of where 
Christ is known, and is not developed save where He makes 
the atmosphere and climate where such development is pos- 
sible. 

I am here this afternoon wearing, like you, a badge, and 
so the gentlemen who are here with me on this platform. It 
bears the hand of a laboring man, the scarred hand of Christ 
that rules the world to-day. It is the scarred hand of Christ 
that holds these seven stars here to represent the churches 
as a representative and perfect number. Christ rules be- 
cause He saves. Men will not tolerate the rule of one 
man. The world will never be ruled by one man. The 
balance of power, which the nations guard so sacredly will 
forbid any one man exercising imperial supremacy, even 
over one part of it, much less the world. Europe will never 


*President of the Federal Council. 


449 


450 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF TIE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


have one master. Asia will never have one master. Africa 
will not long tolerate one master. The very balance of power 
as men grow more self-respesting forbids that, but all of us 
in America, in Europe, in Africa, Asia, Australasia bow when 
one scarred hand holds the scepter. . 

The divinest being the world ever knew is the mightiest. 
I would not be here if Christ was not a working man. I[ 
would not respect Him if He was not a working man. I ean- 
not conceive of the Son of God coming into this work-a-day 
world and having nothing to do. The unemployed classes 
are the dangerous class. The very angels are workers. These 
are they who excel in strength, capable of large service, ever 
more like lightning, willing messengers, fieet-footed, flashing 
from one part of the world to the other. Can you imagine 
the Son of God not having any of its burdens or performing 
none of its tasks? To my mind, Christ is the model working- 
man. Every indication would go to show that He was left 
the head of the family at a relatively early age, for no later 
is the name of Joseph mentioned after the scene in the 


temple. By those honest hands of the eldest member of the — 


family, a son, who wrought and made a reputation as the 


working man was bread won for the family. ‘‘Is not this 


the carpenter?’’ Can you imagine Christ doing anything 
unworthy of the best skilled labor. It was labor into which 
he put His best, and .because Christ took His place side by 
side with working-men the world over, mingling His sweat 
with theirs, and His song with theirs, He has a claim upon 
working-men, such as no other religion ever has claimed for 
the object of their worship. It is the rarest thing in the 
world for working-men to use the name of Christ profanely. 
I think only once in my life, and I have been a close observer 
along this line, have I heard the name of Jesus in an oath. 
Men swear by a remote Being, as they think, but it is the 
rarest thing to hear the name of Christ spoken irreverently. 
When we learn of Christ coming on the earth, He soon 
appears in that most manly relation of a bread-winner, and 
very soon His hands are hardened by honest labor. It is that 
hand that taught men how to work with their hands. God is 
the great worker. ‘‘My Father worketh and I work.’’ Christ 


THE CHURCH AND THE WORKINGMAN. 451 


claimed that as a proof of His divinity. ‘‘I am not come to 
be ministered to, but to minister.’’ When we get that con- 
ception of the bravest man that ever lived and the most help- 
ful man by His devotion to His fellow-man, His sense of 
justice, and above all His sense of brotherhood, we cannot 
help but be won by it and wish to follow Him. 

In the city of London, in the City Temple, Dr. Joseph 
Parker was troubled by the absence of working-men from 
church, and invited hundreds to lunch. there. He said: 
“Bring your dinner buckets, and your pipes if you want to; 
I want to have. a good talk with you.’’ Stepping out in 
front of them, he said, — 

‘“Men, why don’t you come to church 

One man said, a leader among them: ‘‘The Church is not 
for the likes of us, the Church is for the rich, and the Church 
is for the prosperous. You don’t want us there; that is what 
is the matter with the Church.’’ 

Dr. Parker then said, ‘‘Men, what is the matter with 
Jesus of Nazareth?’’ 

Instantly a working-man swung his cap and said: ‘‘He is 
all right.”’ And a thousand or more working-men kept 
swinging their caps and saying: ‘‘He is all right, He is all 
right.’’ 

Find fault with us, with our lack of sympathy at times, 
with our indifference which we manifest too often, but not 
with our Master who taught us. He-is the one who will 
make you strong for service. Nothing touches me more 
than His healing the withered right hand. It was essential 
that the man have the use of that hand. Jesus, when He 
passed by, saw the man with the withered hand, and He healed 
it and made it whole. That is what He is doing with the 
working man the world over. He is making him strong for 
service, strong to overcome passion, drink and vice and what- 
ever hinders and arrests his powers of service. Christ is 
come to heal, and when I think of that wounded hand of my 
Saviour, that working man’s hand, that hand that laid in 
blessing on little children, that hand that lifted the man with 
the broken ankle joints and made him strong and whole 
again, that hand that brought the dead out of the grave, I 


97? 


452 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


think I can read the very divinity of my Lord in the history 
of His hand. 

The last time that hand was seen was when it was nailed 
on the Cross and was stretched out in blessing when He 
took His departure. The greatest mistake was to nail His 
hands to the Cross. 


““FHrom world to world, how wide those hands extended 
Through what abyss of Luni those feet descended, 
What outlook for that head so high extended, 

Christ saved all worlds, not even ours neglected.’’ 


The symbol of our Christ of which I am speaking to-day is 
that outstretched hand. It is reaching to you and to all the 
world, that hand of the working-man, that hand of the 
Saviour of men. 

Some years ago, there was found in Egypt a strange pas- — 
sage of scripture: 


‘¢Lift the stone and thou shalt find me, 
Cleave the wood and there am I.’? 


Would that it was in our Bible, where it doubtless belongs. 
It came from the lips of our Saviour. There are many things 
that Jesus said, which are not in the Bible. We are finding 
them out more and more. John, himself, said that there were 
not books enough in the world to contain all the words that 
He spoke. Paul was very happy in picking some of those 
sentences which fell from the lips of the Saviour like this 
one: ‘‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’’ Now, as 
they are finding out the new words they are adding them to 
a small book that has been published called ‘‘The Words of 
Jesus.”’ 

It was evidently the property of a working-man where 
it was found. It was found on a papyrus in Egypt. Now 
the best scholars of the world say it is undoubtedly the 
language of Christ, that the working-man preserved and 
studied. I was thanking Dr. Henry van Dyke for his beau- 
tiful explanation of: ‘‘Lift the stone and thou shalt find me, 
Cleave the wood and there am I.’’ What did it mean? 
There was a man who wanted to find Christ, and he imagined 
he must leave his work. He was a carpenter, builder, per- 


THE CHURCH AND THE WORKINGMAN. 453 


haps, or a stone-mason. He imagined he could only be a 
Christian by going to the desert and living a hermit’s life. 
He never found Christ there. He then thought he must 
never go outside the cloisters of the church, or walls of the 
temple. He did not find Christ there. There was something 
defective about that man’s life. He was heedless of his 
children and his fellow-men. He was seeking Christ for him- 
self and not for others. The voice of the Saviour came, 

“You did not need to go to the desert to find me,; lft 
the stone and thou shalt find me. Do your regular work as 
a stone mason and as you do your work you shall find me in 
your daily labor. Cleave the- wood and there am I. As you 
lift the timbers, sing out the song of praise.’’ Christ is with 
you in your daily task. Whatever you do, ‘‘lift the stone 
and thou shalt find. Cleave the wood and there am J,’’ 
that is the message I bring to you. This is the Christ, whose 
example inspired you for more skilled labor. He reveals to 
you there His perfect humility, the heart of God, in that 
parable of the Good Samaritan, the parable of brotherhood. 
The hand of Christ is the hand of God. This is the Christ 
ever blessing you in your homes, your country and the world. 

These gentlemen here represent the great federation of 
churches. They are not seeking anywhere to have this na- 
tion establish a Church. Our mission is to have the Church 
establish a nation. That is the great Church that is estab- 
lished best which helps establish the nation and make it 
stronger in its helpful brotherhood to our fellow-men every- 
where. We need you to help with this great temple of hu- 
manity, and as you build for others, you will find Christ with 
you side by side. The message I would leave you would 
be a message of tireless devotion, and touching the strong 
helpful hand of the Son of God, your brother and mine, sav- 
ing now and evermore. Amen. 


The Champion of Labor 


Workingmen Urged to Give Jesus a Square Deal 
By THE REy. CHARLES SrELZLE.* 


Mr. Chairman and Fellow Workers: Mr. Hayes has point- 
ed out some of the things for which Organized Labor stands, 
and, as he well says, the resolutions adopted by the Federal 
Council last week seem 
to have emanated from 
the American Federa- 
tion of Labor, for the 
Trades Union as well as 
the Chureh stands for 
the highest — ethical 
ideals. For instanee, it 
is fighting for universal 
peace. Some day war 
shall cease, but if we 
wait until the edict 
comes from a_ so-called 
Peace Conference at the 
Hague I rather think 
our patience will be ex- 
hausted. Some day war 
shall cease, but it will 
be when the working- 

THE REV. CHARLES STELZLE. men of the world decide 

that they will no longer 

go out to shoot down their fellow-workers in order to satisfy 
the greed and the selfishness and the avarice of their rulers 
no matter who they might be. In other words, the working- 
men of the world will cause a great universal peace strike 
and then war will cease. These working men stand for the 
Americanization of the immigrant. Carroll D. Wright once 


*Superintendent of the Department of Church and Labor of the Pres- 
byterian Church, U. 8S. A. 


454 


er 


THE CHURCH AND THE WORKINGMAN. 455 


said that there is no institution that is doing more to Ameri- 
canize the immigrants than the Trades Unions of the country. 

Trades Unions are a mighty force for more temperate 
living. I was interested at the last convention of the Ameri- 
can Federation of Labor in some resolutions brought there by 
delegates from certain Central Labor bodies, resenting the 
erowth of the temperance spirit throughout this country and 
protesting against the introduction of the Local Option law, 
forgetting as these central bodies did, that ‘‘ Local Option”’ is 
simply ‘‘the referendum,’’ a thing for which Organized Labor 
has for years been contending. These resolutions were pre- 
sented by the delegates to some of the powers that be, and 
they were told to put them back into their pockets and take 
them home, because they would not stand a ghost of a chance 
in that convention. This great Organized Labor movement 
stands for temperate living among the working men of our 
country. 

What has Jesus Christ to say concerning these questions? 
What did Jesus Christ come into the world for? There are 
some men who insist that He came to promote an ideal repub- 
lie or a Utopian democracy. Jesus Christ came neither to 
establish a republic nor a democracy. He came to establish 
an absolute monarchy. Every social reformer claims Jesus 
Christ as the champion of his particular social theory, even 
if these theories be as extreme as the poles. The Socialist 
believes in the supremacy of the law. He says that Jesus 
Christ was a socialist. The Anarchist says that the law is 
the source of all evil, therefore, he would wipe out the law. 
This man says Jesus Christ was an anarchist. He could not 
have been both, because they stand at the extremes of the - 
poles. Whatever else this may indicate it proves that the 
Christianity of Jesus Christ is broader than any ‘‘ism.’’ No 
one can prove from Scripture that Jesus Christ was the advo- 
eate of any particular social system. Some men have stated 
that because the Church has not advocated a particular eco- 
nomic system, therefore the Church is untrue to the teachings 
of Jesus Christ. 

May I tell you briefly why the Church may not adopt 


Cos 


Socialism, Anarchism, or any other ‘‘ism’’? It has not been 


456 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


demonstrated that any one of these theories in its practical ap- 


plication would bring about the golden age for which all good — 


men are looking. Furthermore these men are not agreed 
among themselves as to how their system is going to work out. 
They cannot agree on a satisfactory program, and the Church 
would have to decide, first of all, for instance, which of the 
fifty-seven varieties of Socialism it would adopt. Further- 
more if it were at all possible that Socialism would prove sat- 
isfactory to this generation, our solution of the labor ques- 
tion would not be satisfactory to the next generation. The 
labor question will not be settled until the last day’s work is 
done. I care not what the platform upon which you stand, 
the people of the next generation will call you back numbers. 
Our ideals are constantly advancing. When we come up to 
the ideals of former days, we find that already we have had 
a larger vision and the things for which we are now contend- 
ing are nobler and bigger than those toward which we aspired 
some time before. 

In the history of the Church some branches declared that 
slavery was Scriptural. They thought it was perfectly right 
that one man should serve another as a slave. This belief was 
commonly accepted. But to-day who would dare say that any 
man may hold in subjection as a slave another man? Yet, the 
socialist is demanding that the Church make the same mis- 
take that it mafe before. Fifty years hence the labor men 


will look back upon the transactions of the last American ~ 


Federation of Labor Convention and wonder what kind of a 
layout it was. Yet the delegates to that body were pretty 
good fellows. They did the best they knew how. But we 
cannot legislate for the next generation. Once again, the 
Church has no right to say to that anarchist (I speak, of 
course, of the philosophical anarchist ; bomb throwing is not an 
essential part of anarchism) : ‘‘ We are going to force Social- 
ism down your throat whether you like it or not;’’ nor to the 
socialist, ‘‘we are going to force the philosophical system of 
Anarchy down your throat whether you like it or not.’’ I 
would object to the Church forcing me to accept any economic 
system if IT did not believe it. If I as an individual protest 
against a particular economic system, I am going to fight for 


THE CHURCH AND THE WORKINGMAN. 457 


the other fellow who is just as conscientious as I am and may 
not agree with me at all as to the kind of economic system 
to be introduced and favored by the Church. 

While all this is true, there are certain fundamental prin- 
ciples which Jesus advocated and which are applicable to so- 
ciety in every generation. He lived in an age when social 
conditions were worse than they are to-day. He denounced 
them as no other man of His time dared denounce them. The 
philosophers declare that a purchased slave was better than 
a hired one. The rulers compelled half the world to live be- 
hind prison bars. Then came Jesus Christ. He struck that 
system a blow from which it never recovered. But instead 
of advocating another social system, he began to change in- 
dividual men, because he knew very well that before you can 
introduce an ideal social system you must have ideal men. 
We were talking before election, in New York State, about 
honest horse racing. But Josh Billings onee said: 

‘‘Before you can have an honest horse race you must have 
an honest human race.’’ Before you can have an ideal social 
’ system you must have ideal men. I was talking in Chicago 
to a big crowd of workingmen about the moral aspects of the 
labor question. A man came down the aisle and took a seat 
near the front when one of the newspaper reporters said to 
me: 

““That man is a Jew and a Socialist, and if he gets a chance 
he will rip you up the back.’’? After I got through I invited 
questions, and he was the first man to rise to his feet. With 
a sneer on his face he said, ‘‘ What is the use of your talking 
about the moral aspects of the labor question? You know very 
well that it is because people are poor that they sin.”’ I 
said, ‘‘Is that so? Then I suppose you would say that all the 
millionaires in Chicago are saints.’’ He sat down, as the 
working men cheered, because they saw the point. I have the 
largest sympathy for the man who is up against it physically, 
but after all, it is not so much a question as to what a man is 
without, as what he is within that shall determine his destiny. 

I say that because I know the other side. I went to work 
at eight years in the basement of a New York tobacco shop; 
a sweat shop you would eall it now. My mother and four sis- 


458 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


ters and I lived in a rear tenement over near the river. There 
that mother sewed wrappers for which she received two dol- 
lars a dozen. It took her three days and three nights to fin- 
ish a dozen, and sometimes, I would wake toward the dawning 
of the next day, to see her still seated at my bedside sewing. 
Often she had gone supperless that we might have something 
to eat. We had only a stale roll with a lttle salt sprinkled 
upon it, and frequently that was all we had for weeks at a 
time. It was years before we tasted butter or fruit; we hardly 
knew the sight of either. I know what it is to suffer these 
things, and if I felt that the Church had no message concern- 
ing child labor; if it had no. message concerning the securing of 
a square deal for women, and no care for the unsanitary con- 
ditions of the sweat shop, I would line up with some organiza- 
tion outside of the Church. I need simply think of my moth- 
er, broken in health, and sometimes crippled in body beeause 
of the awful sufferings of those early years when she worked 
to keep me from starving, and of my four sisters and all they 
passed through, to make me a labor agitator,—on the other 


side, against Church and against every condition and every © 


institution of human society to-day which stands in the way of 


my people, the working people——if the Church did not care. | 


But, the Church does care. If the Chureh did not eare I 
could not hold my job. 

T still have my ecard in the Machinists’ Union, and I have 
got a pair of union-made overalls in the garret in my home, 
and I could go back to the old shop in New York and swing 
my hammer and grip a chisel as I did fifteen years ago. But 
I don’t believe I shall be called on to use the ecard, or the 
chisel, or the hammer. I started out six years ago commis- 
sioned by the Church to say and do whatever I pleased on 
this job, and I’ve been doing it without any apologies. These 
labor resolutions which were passed by the Council the other 


day, indicate the real attitude of the Church toward these 


questions. The passing of these resolutions does not mean 
that the Church has suddenly been converted to these prin- 
ciples. It is the first time that the united churches of Amer- 
ica have had an opportunity to give practical expression to the 
principles for which they have always been contending. 


i ti ti 


HE CHURCH AND THE WORKINGMAN. 459 


Recently, at a sociological conference, I heard a man say 
that during the last twenty-five years the Church has been in- 
creased three-fold and that during the same period social un- 
rest had increased in the same ratio. And he concluded that 
the Church, as a means for keeping down social unrest, had 
been non-effective. As though that were the business of the 
Church! Rather is the opposite true. It is the business of 
the Church to create social unrest. There are no labor trou- 
bles in Darkest Africa. You never hear about a strike for 
shortef hours over there, but the missionaries that the Chureh 
is sending to Africa will create labor troubles. There they 
will find a Continent of people satisfied with low ideas and 
low physical conditions. They will point out these low ideals 
and show them the possibilities of a life in Jesus Christ, the 
possibilities of a Christian civilization, and, as these people 
catch a vision of Christ, and all He may mean to them, there 
will come among them a healthy spirit of social unrest, and 
they will break bands that have bound them for many a cen- 
tury as they aspire to these better ideals. That has been the 


- history of the Church in every generation. If ever there was 


an opportunity for the men who are saying that the Church 
is not doing a thing, and never has done a thing to help the 
working people to raise their standard of living—if ever there 
was a chance for those advocates to try out their own plans, 
they will find it among the people of the Cannibal Islands. 
But they do not go to the Cannibal Islands or to the heart of 
Africa. They wait until the Church has poured in its mil- 
lions of dollars, and sent its thousands of missionaries, and 
after they have brought about a Christian civilization and laid 
the foundations, the social agitator goes in and builds on 
these foundations, scorning the Church, which, he says, has 
never done a thing to help the common people. Meanwhile he 
is quite content to live in America, or England, or in some 
other country, until the Church prepares the way for him. 
Gentlemen, let us give the Church a square deal. She has 
made mistakes. I rather think no one pounds her harder 
than I do when it seems necessary. These gentlemen on the 
platform take a hand at it once in awhile. You should have 
been down to the meetings of Council as we pointed out our 


460 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


weaknesses, but the Church has done something more than 
make mistakes. It has been constructive; it has done many 
things for the advancement of mankind and for these things 
let us give due credit. , 

The power of Jesus Christ is due to the fact that He has 
built His Church upon the principle of securing the right kind 
of men through whom He might operate. One time a man 
came to Strauss, the Jewish infidel and said: ‘‘How ean I 
found a new religion that will rival Christianity?’’ The an- 
swer was: 4 

‘“That is a very simple matter; have yourself crucified and 
buried; then on the third day rise again.’’ Needless to say 
the religion was not established. Napoleon in exile on St. 
Helena, turned to General Bertrand and said: ‘‘I know men, 
and I tell you that Jesus was not a mere man. Between Him 
and whoever else in all the world beside, there are no possible 
terms of comparison. Alexander, Cesar, Charlemagne and 
myself founded empires, but upon what did we rest the suc- 
cess of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ alone founded 
His empire upon love, and at this very hour there are mil- 
lions of men who would die for Him.’’ Jean Paul Richter 
once wrote: The life of Christ concerns Him, who, being the 
mightiest among the holy, the holiest among the mighty, lifted 
with His pierced hands empires off their hinges, turned the 
stream of centuries out of its channel and still governs the 
ages.’” 

Jesus Christ is the court of last appeal. Who is there to-day 
who thinks of turning to Plato or Socrates, or to any other 
philosopher to settle the great social question? But if we can 
get a clear statement of Christ’s concerning the matter the 
question is settled for all time. No one thinks of going back 
of the verdict of Jesus. Is it not a great thing to have such 
a man as Labor’s Champion ? 

We say if Jesus Christ were here to-day He would fight the 
battles of the toiler. I believe He would. He did fight the 
battles of the toiler and it cost Him His life. But men, is it 
a square deal to Jesus to stand back and allow Him to bear 
the brunt of the battle? Is it a square deal to Jesus to have 
Tim take all the buffeting and the spitting upon and the in- 


THE CHURCH AND THE WORKINGMAN, 461 


sult? Is it a square deal to receive all the benefits that come 
to us because of the sacrifice of Jesus, and then stand back 
like miserable cowards and not even proclaim Him as our 
friend? What I ask for the Trades Union and what I ask 
for the Church I ask for Jesus—the square deal—that is all. 
Surely, the American working man is ready to give that. 

He stood once before Pilate. Pilate did not know just what 
to do with Him. I wonder sometimes if Pilate could have 
looked down the ages and heard every Sunday morning mil- 
lions of men and women and children repeating the words: 
“Suffered, crucified under Pontius Pilate,’’—I wonder if his 
answer would have been what it was: ‘‘Take Him away and 
erucify Him?’’ Yet there are men who are doing that to- 
day—crucifying afresh the Lord Jesus. They are trampling 
under their feet His love, His sacrifice, scorning Him who 
meant so much and who means so much to you and me. God 
erant that every man here to-day may give Jesus a square 
deal, and that he may say to Him: ‘‘Jesus Christ, my cham- 
pion ; the champion of Labor’’—yes, He is that, but God grant 
that every man shall call Jesus ‘‘Saviour and Lord.’’ 


Christian Brethren in Truth 


Men Organized For Service 
By tHe Rr. Rev. Ozt W. WurraKker, D.D., LL.D.* 


The program of the Federal Council was thoughtfully and 
admirably prepared, and thus far it has been carried out in a 
spirit and manner befitting the importance of the many corre- 
lated subjects which it 
embraced. At the pres- 
ent stage of the Federal 
Council, I feel justified 
in saying we must all be 
convinced that through 
its establishment and op- 
eration a very great ad- 
vance has been made in 
Christian unity. There 
is reason to believe that 
the influence of this 
Council will by no 
means terminate with 
its close. Those who go 
out from these sessions 
will carry with them the 
spirit which they have 
received and which they 

RT. REV. OZI W. WHITAKER, D.D., L1.p. ave illustrated while 

here; throughout the 
land the germinal force of the movement which has found 
expression here will be felt in State after State and Territory 
after Territory, and crossing the sea it will reach all points 
where the work of evangelization has already begun among 
heathen peoples or wherever men are called by the name of 


-*Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal diocese of Pennsylvania, presiding 
at an interdenominational meeting in Witherspoon Hall, in the interest 
of the Brotherhood Movement. 


462 


BROTHERHOODS FOR SERVICE. 463 


Christ. But it will not stop there; it will go on and on until 
men as they are brought to know the Lord Jesus Christ and 
the blessedness of fellowship in His Church shall feel its 
quickening impulse, shall get an upward vision of the true 
character of God, the true nature of man, the redemption 
that has been effected for them, the blessedness of the salvation 
which Christ has revealed, until the knowledge of that sal- 
vation shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. 

The various aspects which have been presented in the pro- 
gram may sbe differently estimated as to their relative im- 
portance; but there is no one of them that is unimportant, no 
one of them which cannot well engage the attention of men 
whose hearts are set upon fulfilling to the best of their ability 
the responsibility which God has placed upon them. They 
touch human life at almost every point; they have to do with 
human relations in almost every direction; they have to do 
with individuals; with small organized’ bodies; with separate 
jurisdictions; with the body of the Church at home and 
abroad; they have to do with the employments and occupa- 
tions of men, with varying social conditions of men, and with 
the methods by which the greatest good may be accomplished 
for the benefit of those who are suffering from wrong or in- 
justice, from neglect or forgetfulness, or from the direct con- 
sequences of sin. 

In the list of topics which has been brought forward, not 
the least in importance is that which is presented for our 
consideration this afternoon. In some respects it might be _ 
reckoned amongst the greatest. The Brotherhood of Men; 
men organized as brothers for Christian service. It seems a 
very simple thing; it may be that there are men in brother- 
hoods who, while recognizing their privileges as servants of 
the Lord Jesus Christ, as honored in being His soldiers and 
messengers, have not yet grasped the full significance of the 
position they occupy. There could be an organization of such 
a brotherhood only by their being sons of God, and it is our 
privilege to say as individual men and boys, we are the sons 
of God. Then God is our Father and we are His children; 
we are brothers in Jesus Christ, His Son; we are members of 
His body. 


464 EDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


But ‘our thought here is especially of God as our Father; 
every time we say the Lord’s Prayer, we acknowledge that. 
We acknowledge it in its fullness if we rightly understand 
those first two words—‘ Our Father’’ not merely the Father 
of this boy or that boy, but the Father of every boy, of every 
man, of every human soul,—‘‘Our Father.’’ It is the blessed 
privilege which Jesus has given us of looking up to our Fa- 
ther in Heaven and recognizing Him as the Father of all 
humanity, that humanity which Jesus took into union with 
Ilimself when He became incarnate as the Son of Man; that 


human nature which Jesus has glorified, has taken into heav-. 


en to the right hand of God; that humanity which has so en- 
tered into union with His Godhead that the union is never 
to be dissolved. It is our humanity that has thus been lifted 
up in the union with God the Father, and we are His chil- 
dren, and all men are His children. He is not merely the 
Father of a cultured race but of the most ignorant and bar- 
barous races. Christ died for one as truly as He died for the 
other. His redemption was a sufficient satisfaction for the 
sins of the whole world. 

Now, that idea is the underlying one in the brotherhood of 
Christian men, and carrying it out to its fullest extent, it 
would impel every member of a brotherhood to make known 
that salvation which has come to him, that good news which 
has gladdened his heart, that inspiration which has made 
him a different boy or man from what he was; to make it 
known to those who are ignorant of it. It would make him 
feel that that was the great object for which he was now 
alive, that all other things were secondary; this was first and 
foremost. The relationship in which he stands to God as his 
Father and to every other man as his brother ought to be the 
strongest influence acting upon his life,—stronger than his 
love of country, stronger than his love of the ecclesiastical 
affiliations which surround him and bind him, stronger than 
his own personal affection for his near relatives and friends, 
for he should be willing to part from them that he may go 
to those who are far away and save them. 

A glimpse of this great truth shows what dignity, what 
privilege there is in being a member of a Christian brother- 


BROTHERHOODS FOR SERVICE. 465 


hood to work for Christ, working for our Father, working for 
our brothers, eager to communicate to them the good which 
has come to us, eager to help them to be delivered from the 
evil. Therefore, it seems to me a very great privilege to be 
a member of a Christian Brotherhood. It is a high and noble 
work to which you are called; one that may well enlist all 
your sympathies and call out all the energy and power you 
possess, and which should make it a delight to consecrate all 
that you have and all that you are to the service of God your 
Father, of Christ your Saviour, of the Holy Spirit your 
Sanctifier, that you may carry the good news to those who 
have not yet heard it. 

The program as it was first prepared for this afternoon has 
been changed in some respects. A change is ordinarily to be 
regretted in a program but I am sure I express the opinion 
of all when I say that whatever regret we might have felt for 
the first change is entirely compensated for by the fact that 
owing to it the Rev. Dr. W. H. Roberts is to be the next 
speaker. 


Facts Which Must Become Principles 


Friendship, a Personal Evangel and a Divine Life. 
By toe Rev. Wmu1AmM Henry Roserts, D.D., LL.D.* 


Two words as introductory to the remarks that I shall ven- 
ture to offer to you this afternoon in connection with the 
Brotherhood Work of the Churches of Jesus Christ. 

The first remark is of a personal character and addressed to 
the honored chairman of this meeting. We rejoice, Bishop, 
in your presence with us this afternoon, in the words which 
you have spoken to us indicating the sympathy of that great 
historic church of which you are a bishop, in the work of the 
Federal Council, and in all that has to do with the welfare of 
the Church of Christ in this land and throughout the world. 
We are glad that we can stand here together upon this plat- 
form as brethren, giving expression to our common sym- 
pathies, one with another, and with all who bear the name of 
Christ throughout the world. 

The second preliminary word is one which comes directly to 
the audience. It is a great pleasure to address a representa- 
tive gathering of the Christian brotherhoods of the American 
churches. There are six brotherhoods represented here this 
afternoon in an official manner. There is impressed, there- 
fore, upon our minds that unity of faith in the Lord Jesus 
which is the bond which unites us in the mystical body of His 
Church,—of that Church which is not only a chureh militant. 
but likewise a church triumphant,—one Church on Earth and 
in Heaven. 

The thoughts to which I shall give expression are born of 
experience. Brotherhood work is no new thing to the speaker. 
In all my Christian life I have known what it was to be asso- . 
ciated with other men in Christian work; and, can testify 
what-a power those organizations to which I have been related 


*Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. 
Ui0S. HAG 
466 


BROTHERELOODS FOR SERVICE. 467 


have always been in every congregation in which I found them 
and where I was privileged to be a part of them. Whether 
it was the church of my boyhood, where I was a member of 
a boys’ band, or later on, within the past year or two, when I 
entered into that far-reaching organization the Presbyterian 
Brotherhood, I have felt the power of the association of men 
one with another in that work whose purpose is to carry the 
Gospel to every creature. 

More and more as I have associated with others in the work 
of men within the Church of Jesus Christ, have I been glad- 
dened with the growing power of that work, with the addition 
from year to year of great numbers to the work, and with the 
evident blessing of God upon all work that has been performed 
in the name of Jesus Christ. The Lord is blessing the work 
of men in the churches. May that blessing come yet more 
abundantly, and may Christian men everywhere realize their 
duty, so that increasingly it shall cease to be the fact that a 
ereat majority of the male members of the church are not in- 
terested in Christian work of any kind. It is not ten years 
since the statement was true that of the male membership of 
the church, not twenty per cent. was engaged directly in 
Christian service. That day has passed. May the day soon 
dawn when everywhere there shall be a great majority of men 
in all the congregations laboring heart to heart and hand to 
hand in that work which Christ has entrusted to His people. 
Now, if we are to succeed in this brotherhood work, there are 
certain fundamental facts in connection with our religion 
which need to become controlling principles in work. 

The first fact is this: We must realize that Christianity 
means friendship primarily. Our religion starts with the idea 
of friendliness.. The Christian who follows Christ goes to men 
with an open hand and with an open heart. The main thing 
with him will be to establish friendly social relations with 
others. Now, this spirit is not disseminated as widely as it 
ought to be within the Church of Jesus Christ. I have heard 
it said quite bitterly about some of our congregations that they 
were church clubs. While I have never given any close atten- 
tion to the charge, I have believed that it was not generally 
true. In my own personal experience with congregations I 


468 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


have found it to be otherwise. But there is danger that with 
the growth of culture, men may forget that the primary thing 
about the Christian religion is not its intellectuality, or any- 
thing connected with art or business, but the fundamental 
thing, friendship. We need more and more in all our think- 
ing and in all our working to put this quality to the front, to 
cultivate it in all our relations with those whom we seek to 
benefit, to make our religion in reality friendship. 

A second thing about our religion which should come home 
to us with increasing power, is the fact that it is a personal 
evangel. 

We hear a great deal nowadays about personal evangelism, 
but that is not what I mean. Evangelism has come to mean 
carrying to lost sinners the message of salvation, and that 
alone. Now while evangelism is by all means the great pri- 
mary duty of the Church in connection with the proclamation 
of the Gospel, it is also to be emphasized that Christ came not 
only to bring to men the forgiveness of sins, but to heal the 
sick, to bring comfort to weary hearts, and to minister strength 
and grace for all of life. You should read the prophecies of 
Isaiah in their fullness in relation to Our Lord to comprehend 
the wide scope of his mission, through the evangel which He 
has brought to this our earth, and which he has entrusted to 
His disciples to bear to its every corner. Evangelism is one 
thing, the evangel is another. The latter is a voice of glad- 
ness, a touch of sympathy upon every life, and the bringing 


of divine love into touch with all life. It is ministering to — 


the needy, bringing healing to the sick, and the shedding of 
the light of hope upon the disconsolate. It is, in short, a 
human being, so far as possible, a substitute for the Lord 
Jesus Christ, as a sun of righteousness rising with healing in 
his wings upon every darkened heart and corner of our globe. 

This personal evangel is the obligation of every Christian, 
and it is in a peculiar sense the obligation of men. I doubt not 
that many of you have spoken to a brother man about the need 
of a Saviour. How often do you think about his need of 
comfort. 

Only the other day in the city of Philadelphia a prominent 
business man (I withhold his name) told me this story: He 


i. ™ — 


BROTHERHOODS FOR SERVICE. 469 


met a friend one morning upon the street, and noticed that he 
appeared to be exceedingly troubled about something. He 
stopped to speak with him to cheer him up. He succeeded, and 
the next day, when that friend met him again, with all sober- 
ness the information was given, that so perplexed had he been 
that but for the kindly words spoken by his neighbor, it was 
probable that he would have committed suicide. That is what 
is meant by being a personal evangel. That is carrying the 
Gospel home, into human lives. That is being a true messen- 
ger of Jesus Christ, not only the Saviour, but the Comforter, 
and the inspiration of all men. May God strengthen each one 
of us to bear not only the message. of salvation to sinners, but 
likewise to bring the gladness of the Gospel, the comfort of 
the Gospel, and the strength and the inspiration which are 
in the Gospel, into multitudes of lives. 

A third thing to which I would draw attention is the fact 
that Christianity is a divine life. This means much to us with 
our human limitations. We sometimes are in danger of los- 
ing heart. The burdens which come upon us in Christian work 
are not few. The experiences which are our own, and the ex- 
periences into knowledge of which we come in our contact with 
others, are the source of perplexity and at times of very great 
soberness of mind and grief of heart. What then? We are 
to remember that we are the sons of God, as Bishop Whitaker 
has said, referring to that Scriptural passage, ‘‘Now are we 
the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall 
be.”’ It is not with the future alone that these words deal. 
We are to remember that the present is definitely in the 
thought of the verse, ‘‘ Now are we the sons of God.’’ Now is 
it true of us that the life within our souls is the divine life. 
Now are we members of the divine household. And ever, 
therefore, are we to remember that Christ is our Brother and 
God is our Father, and that both the great Elder Brother and 
the Father are with us alway, ministering of grace and 
strength sufficient for the performance of every duty. 

I doubt at times if we grasp sufficiently the conception of 
the divine life which we possess, as it has relation to the suc- 
cess of Christian work, both with us as individuals and with 
the Church of Christ as a whole. Christ repeatedly declares 


470 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


that He brings everlasting life to men. The Gospel of Christ, 
we are assured by the great apostle to the Gentiles, is profit- 
able not only for the life which is to come, but also for the 
life that now is. And this life is Christ Himself, as set forth 
in the words, ‘‘I am the Life.’’ That life is in us, and there- 
fore in this world of ours. And just so surely as the life is 
in us, so surely will it work out and out from all true dis- 
ciples of the Lord Jesus, bringing not only and increasingly 
the grace of Christ to the individual heart, but affecting every 
interest of man alike temporal and eternal. I do not hesi- 
tate to say, speaking here, that but for Christianity as a di- 
vine life, this world of ours. long ago would have gone to utter 
rack and ruin. And we may be assured, as we look forward to 
the future, that this divine life which has entered into human 
society, and which is gathered within the churches as in a 
great reservoir, and which communicate of its energy through 
individual Christians, so that it will go on and on from vic- 
tory unto victory, until that glad hour shall come of the con- 
summation of all things, when death itself shall be swallowed 
up of life. ; 

Life! some of you will say; what is it? None of us know. 
Can any man tell us what life is in a blade of grass; or what 
life is, in the beloved wife or daughter whom we cherish more 
than .we do our own lives? No scientist can define life, can 
explain it, or can put it back if it be absent from any ma- 
terial thing. But life, the divine life, and because divine, 
eternal life, that is our life. The Christianity we profess, and 
whose messengers we are, is in its essential force, the life of 
God in the souls of men. Ever, then, let us remember Him 
who is our life, and whatever there may be in the way of dis- 
couragement, go forward in every hour resolute to perform 
duty, to be the instrument of bringing others unto Him, that— 
they may share with us in the blessings of the life in Christ in 
the world that now is, and inherit with us in the life which is 
to come, all that is meant by the words, ‘‘life everlasting.”’ 

May God bless our brotherhoods and increasingly give them 
to be true teachers of Christianity to this world of which God 
has made us a part, clearly evidencing that it is friendship, 
that it is a personal evangel, and that it is the life, the inde- 
structible life of God in the souls and lives of men. 


Men to do the Work of Men 


This They May Do Through the Brotherhood 
By Mr. Nouan R. Best.* 


‘The very fact that this meeting has a place in the program 
of the Federal Council of Churches is significant of the new 
weight that is attaching to the Brotherhood movement in all 

the churches. Three 
years ago, in the pre- 
liminary conference on 
federation, there was no 
such meeting as this,— 
no recognition at all, I 
believe, for the brother- 
hoods. To-day no com- 
mittee making up a pro- 
gram in the interests of 
the Church would think 
of omitting this interest. 
There has been certain- 
ly a vast forward mov- 
ing of the brotherhood 
idea in all the churches 
of America in this three 
years. It has been the 
time of the organization 

oo SE of several of the broth- 

erhoods that are here 

represented. It has been a time of renewed activity and en- 

ergy, I am sure, in those older brotherhoods—particularly 

the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and the Brotherhoods of An- 
drew and Philip—which are the pioneers in this movement. 

Yet it seems to me that we have not yet come to a positive 
assurance of the perpetuation of Brotherhood organizations, 


*A member of the Editorial staff of ‘‘The Interior,’’ Chicago, Tl. 
471 - 


472 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


and the thing lacking, as it appears to me, is definition of what 
we intend to do through the movement. It is because I feel 
that lack so much that I venture this afternoon to undertake 
as I may be able an attempt at definition. 

In the first place it seems to me that it ought to be clearly 
understood that the Brotherhood is not an attempt to create 
something distinct from the Church to do the Church’s work. 
We Brotherhood men are by no-means of those who consider 
the Chuych ‘“‘played out.’’ We are not of those who are 
looking for a substitute. We are here in this Council to exalt 
the Church as it is represented in the churches of America, 
and we certainly do not mean that the Brotherhood shall 
appear here or elsewhere. as assuming to take away from a 
moribund church something that it has failed to do and do 
that thing in its stead. 

Nor is the Brotherhood, as I fear some think that it is, a 
magic invention of new machinery to accomplish something 
unheard of hitherto in the church by a new patent method. 
The Brotherhood is distinctly not a machinery, and the great 
embarrassment that has come to the central Brotherhood or- 
ganization in all the churches has been the demand from local 
organizations to be told in detail everything they must do or 
try to do. It seems as if men are expecting here and there 
and everywhere through the country a machine to be shipped 
out to them ready-made with directions how it is to be put up 
in the church, and with some strange new power concealed in 
it whereby something extraordinary is to be accomplished 
which has not been contemplated, not been possible, hitherto. 

Even those brotherhoods which have the closest knit or- 
ganization and which do propose a certain outline program 
for their different chapters are not doing this thing that is 
thus expected of them. They are not inventing methods to 
be put to work in your individual local churches. The re- 
sponsibility for methods must chiefly go back into the separate 
congregation. The activities of the brotherhoods must be de- 
vised and regulated within the local churches. The rector, the 
pastor, must get his men together and go over the particular 
situation in their own neighborhood at first hand, and decide 
what they must do to meet their own obligations in their own 


BROTHERHOODS FOR SERVICE. 473 


field. No central office in some distant city can by any possi- 
bility do that for them. 

The Brotherhood justification is more a point of view than 
anything else. I think that we all realize, though I for one 
should not undertake to interpret the psychology of it, that 
the church gets for the most part its accent from the social 
life around it, taking’ that phrase in the narrower sense of the 
word ‘‘society,’’—that is, the church, meeting together as a 
congregation of men and women, experiences the passive, self- 
enjoying, pleasure-expecting atmosphere of social life. When 
a man goes with his wife to sit down at a neighbor’s and chat 
through the evening, or when he enters into the larger cir- 
cles of social enjoyment where the ladies are present, a certain 
atmosphere of amenity comes down on the gathering, and 
there is courtesy and deference and social exchange of opinion, 
but there-is practically in such situations never any attempt 
to formulate plans for action. 

I say I do not attempt to explain the psychology of it, but 
in our churches when men and women meet together, we get 
that same passive atmosphere, that atmosphere of mere amen- 
ity, that atmosphere of social courtesy. Now, that is all right 
for the passive side of religion, for the quiescent side; but 
when you come to the active side there is a lack somewhere. 
The women discovered it first, and they went and organized 
their women’s societies for all their lines of activity. Now, 
then, men are coming to realize that we have got to have the 
same thing; we have got to get away from that atmosphere of 
mere social amenity if we are going to do deeds along the lines 
for which the church is planned. 

The only way to get men into a genuinely active atmos- 
phere, into a place where they have the business outlook, 
where they begin to ask, ‘‘ What can we do and how ean we do 
it?’’ is to get them in a men’s gathering. That is the way all 
the business of a great city like this is done. You get the men 
together, and then, as we say, they ‘‘talk business.’? When 
the ladies are about, they talk placid conventionalities. And 
that is the first reason for the Brotherhood very decidedly, I 
think,—for aggressive activity of men is only going to be 


~474 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


projected out of a gathering of men. That is true in busi 
ness, it is true in church also. 
And then, of course, we all realize that when you bring 


men together—lI do not attempt to explain the psychology of 


this, either,—there is an electricity about their contact which 
stirs them up and forbids them longer to be passive—that de- 
mands of them virile, active exertion. It is that sort of thing 
which makes an army,—when men stand in rang shoulder to 
shoulder there is the power of all in each. A man is ashamed 
to shirk when the men next him are not shirking. You ean 
be a shirk while you are alone, but it takes a tremendous 
amount of courage to be a shirk in the presence of the other 
fellow. | 

I know a good old soldier in our town who said to me not 
very long ago: ‘*When IJ went into my first battle I was 
sure I would run at the first shot. But when the fire came 
on the line, I looked here, and here was Joe, and he was 
standing fast; and I looked the other way, and here was Tom 
and he was standing fast, and I said I could stand it as long 
as those fellows could, and I didn’t run. And I found when 
the fight was over that they had said the same ae about me 
—they were going to run when I did.’’ 

Now, when you get men scattered all through the congrega- 
tion where there are a good many more women than there are 
men, they somehow or other do-not feel that way; they can 
shirk pretty easy. A man, some say, is not ashamed to shirk 
in the presence of his wife. But when you get men into the 
Brotherhood and bring them in a solid mass right close up 
together, and one man gets up and says: ‘‘I will do this 
thing if the rest of you will,’’ every last fellow of them all 
says: ‘‘I will.’’ So you get that in the Brotherhood. 

And then, of course, you get the sense of power. Men— 
I think we really don’t know how many men— would like to 
do something worth while in religion. They come into the 
church on Sabbath morning and hear the preacher preach, 
and every man of them all in the whole congregation looks dig- 
nified and quiet and passive, and they do not know what is 
stirring in one another’s hearts. It is only when you get them 
together where they may freely talk out what they think and 


‘ 


BROTHERHOODS FOR SERVICE. . 475 


confess their shame at their own uselessness in the community, 
that they begin to really have confidence in one another and 
realize that what power there is among them waiting to be 
used. When a man is in a crowd where he can depend on 
the other fellows, feels the reinforcement of the power of the 
other men, not simply their good intentions, but their force 
as well, then he is more willing to do something big and dar- 
ing for the kingdom of God. 

Now, then, these are some of the reasons why, very largely 
for the psychological advantage of it, we are trying to get 
the men gathered out of the general congregation and bring 
them to meet together in one place frequently. It is not as 
if we were trying to divide the Church—God forbid! We do 
not want any more partitions run through the Church and 
have the men sitting on one side and the women on the 
other. That fashion, I believe, prevails yet in some places in 
Pennsylvania, but we are past it in Illinois, and we do not 
want to help to perpetuate it anywhere. But we do want to 
rally the men in one rank for forceful common action, not as 
segregating them, but in order to secure from them that 
strength that comes out only when they stand together as men 
by themselves. 

And what to do? What for? Now, here is the thing I 
think that we ought especially to understand in all our 
Brotherhoods. We are'not proposing any new thing to do 
through and by Brotherhood,—just the same old things that 
your grandfathers knew the Church ought to do—those are 
what we are trying to accomplish by the Brotherhood. Do 
not think, men, there is any strange new scheme on hand to 
get busy at. It is the same familiar, old-fashioned task of 
‘“commending our Master’’ by the way we live, the way we 
love, the way we serve and the way we testify. 

In all this, however, we ought consciously be striving to 
realize more and more our fraternity with fellow-Christians 
and with all humanity. We ought not to let the lodges go 
ahead of us in this thing. It is a shame that lodge men will 
rush to help a brother quicker than church men will ordinar- 
ily, so that a man that belongs both to church and lodge will 
turn to his lodge brothers quicker than he will to his church 


476 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


brothers for help. We ought to cure that. This business of 
sitting around and wondering whether a man is worthy of 
being helped or not, discounts our Christianity. Let us get 
together and’ help him, whether or no. It will do us good, 
even if it isn’t doing much good to the fellow helped. 

Then more than the helping of men that are down and out 
is the importance of helping young fellows who are just get- 
ting their first chance to climb up. Every man of us here 
ought to be able to remember, when he was a young fellow of 
twenty or twenty-two, what it meant to him to have some man 
already well-established in business, a man who had prestige 
in the community, a man whom everybody looked up to—to 
have that man come and be friendly to him. But some of us 
do not realize, when we ourselves get past thirty-five, or any- 
how up to forty. We have begun ourselves to bear that sort 
of relation to present-day young fellows sixteen or eighteen 
or twenty or twenty-two; we now can if we will, give them 
the stimulating companionship of established business men 
which meant so much to us when we were boys. And the 
church is the place for that fellowship. This is really one 
of the chief reasons for the brotherhood. We ought to bring 
these young men into our social meetings, and show them a_ 
perfectly informal, chummy sort of friendship. It is the best 
thing in the world to hold a young fellow up out of temptation 
in a city like this or any city. 

And then of course we should remember the civie things 
that a club of churchmen can do. I am very dubious of how 
far churches as churches, denominations as denominations, 
can go in political affairs. Some of our denominations scare 
me sometimes by their plunges into polities. But there is no 
limit to what an unofficial organization of Christian men can 
do. The men’s club of the church is not the church; it has 
the advantage in this particular of not being the church. 
The club can do a lot of civie things and do them without any 
danger of compromising the spirituality of the church or 
of seeming to bring the church into politics. And it ought to 
keep keenly alive to this civie opportunity. 

But we must not stop there. One of the great discourage- 
ments that I see in brotherhood work is that while all of our 


BROTHERHOODS FOR SERVICE. 477 


brotherhoods are nominally in the church—they are chureh 
brotherhoods,—so many are afraid of religion; they are scru- 
pulously careful not to have anything religious visible about 
them. I hear, ‘‘You cannot get the men from outside to come 
in if you put religion forward,’’ and so they keep religion 
in the closet and invite men in to have just a good social time 
—to be entertained by readings, songs, stereopticon pictures. 
Now, men, we ought not to do that. We gain nothing by 
apologizing for our religion or equivocating about it. A men’s 
elub of any sort in any church ought to be religious. Let us 
be religious and let us be out with it, thorough with it, through 
and through and genuine about it. 

A brotherhood of men’s club in the church ought to be es- 
pecially a school for the study of the will of Jesus Christ as 
it relates to these present times of ours. I have not very 
much hope of gettmg the modern American business man to 
study any textbook or anything of that kind. The courses of 
study that are so successful in the colleges do not very often 
do much good in a miscellaneous Bible class of active business 
men. They will not study a textbook. "The American busi- 
ness man has lost his ability to use his brain that way—he uses 
them so exclusively in other ways. But if you will propose to 
the men of your community that you are simply going to take 
your Bibles and try to find out in there what Jesus Christ 
said about the life of these times, and that you are going to 
have a frank and open discussion whether His ideas will work 
or not, I believe you will get men to come in. And if you 
will give them the chance, they will talk and they will get 
interested. 

- I believe, men, that this is the one thing above all else that 
the men of the Church need to vindicate to the men of the 
world in these times—that Jesus Christ had a program; that 
he did not give us speculations or imaginations, but an au- 
thoritative program which he brought down out of infinite 
knowledge to furnish the ultimate ideal of society. We must 
make men realize that Christ knew what he was talking about. 
And then we must convince them that he has power to make 
good that which he laid out as an ideal for men. If you get 
men to understand the program of Jesus Christ and to trust 


478 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


themselves to it, out and out, the one great hindrance to the 
establishment of right relations among the men of these times 
will have been abolished. All that Jesus Christ asks is a 
chance to explain, and the clubs and the brotherhoods ought 
in their Bible classes to give their Lord that chance with the 
men of America. 

And of course we ought to lay on the hearts of men in the 
brotherhoods and men outside their bounden obligation to 
help on the kingdom. We ought to make this plain as to the 
benevolences of the Church. The great trouble with our 
benevolences, the reason they all languish, is because the lay- 
men of the Church think a. benevolent appeal is nothing but 
a prelude to a collection for a poor somebody that wants some 
money, and they give it to him to get rid of him. As long as 
boards of Foreign Missions and Home Missions and all the rest 
of them seem mere mechanisms—appear fo the men of the 
churches just so many wheels going around and grinding up 
so much money every year—the practical business men of 
America are going tg support them grudgingly. It is only 
as men catch the fact that these boards are bent upon the 
magnificent thing that Jesus Christ has planned in the con- 
quest of the world; only as they feel throbbing through the 
appeals of the missionaries the appeals of Jesus Christ to make 
him king of mankind, only as they conceive what the king- 
dom of heaven would mean if it were world-wide, that they 
will come out with their money and give as they ought. 

But manifestly a man’s obligation cannot stop with giving 
money. We must insist that men shall give also their per- 
sonal service; that personally they shall get busy on the 
propositions that their church membership involves; that they 
shall make good on the fact that they belong to the Church. 
We must insist——we must press it on ourselves and press it 
on other men—that this business of dummy church member- 
ships—simply having your name on the church roll and doing 
nothing to justify it—is a shame to any man, and it is upon 
the men’s clubs and leagues and the brotherhoods of the 
churches, to put forward the demand that a man who belongs 
to a church ought to make good and do something or get out. 
There is plenty of room outside the church for respectable | 


BROTHERHOODS FOR SERVICE. 479 


men who do not mean to do anything. The chureh is a mili- 
tant organization, formed to carry on the work of Jesus 
Christ in the world, and the man who has not anything to do 
with that work does not belong. This is not an invitation for 
anybody to get out, of course, but we ought to make men 
realize that if they do stay in, they are bound to do some- 
thing. 

- We ought to put our hearts into this thing of making Jesus 
Christ known to other men. Just as I said about Bible study 
courses. I despair of teaching the American business man 
these books in which there are long lists of verses that you 
shall read to a man who is in this kind of difficulty or a man 
who raises that sort of objection, I doubt if we can ever get 
the average man to be very expert in what is doubtless a good 
thing to learn if a man begins soon enough—of taking out 
his Bible and turning to a verse here and a verse there to ex- 
plain a truth toa man. But you can put this to the American 
business man and he will understand it and he will do it if 
you press it hard enough home upon him with prayer and in- 
sistence. Tell him, if he has found out anything in Jesus 
Christ, he ought to be willing to tell it to the next fellow; that 
especially he is responsible for the young fellows that he knows 
who are beginning to go a little wrong, that the men in his 
employ he should quietly call into his office and give them a 
word or two when he sees they are getting befuddled on moral 
questions, or if he is an employed man, that he ought to speak 
to the fellow next to him who he sees drifting away from 
righteousness. Any man can understand that. And tell 
them this,—that if they do not know enough about Jesus 
Christ to recommend Him to the man next them, that they 
had better be quick to learn him better. 

It seems to me, men, that the so-called revolt of the men of 
America from the church in these days is a revolt against the 
mechanism of the church. Now the mechanism is necessary, 
you cannot do these great things for God’s kingdom without 
machinery, but it lies upon the brotherhoods to put forward 
that other side of the spirit and life of the warm vital Chris- 
tian fellowship. The brotherhoods do not need to be mechan- 
ieal; they can be open-hearted and friendly and genuine. 


480 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


They can uphold the large things that God wants to do. ° 
can be mediators with the men that dislike the conventione 
ties of the Church. They can open a door for these men 
the realities of the life of the Church, and the invincible 
lowship of the brotherhoods, I believe, will reach the men who 
now dislike and revolt from the mechanical aspects of ecele- 
siastical organizations. The mechanical aspects will go on, 
serving the necessity that requires them; even the objectors | 
will themselves learn their need eventaalie but meanwhile ‘ 
the unmechanical and unconventional associations of the 
_ brotherhoods will reconcile and enlist all these men bd do 
not yet understand. 


Farewell Reception to the Council 
A Wonderful Week For the Churches 


By THE Rr. Rev. ALEXANDER Mackay-Smiru, D.D. 


On behalf of the Christian Protestant bodies of Philadel- 
phia I greet you this evening with their most cordial congratu- 
lations on the success of this Conference, with the earnest hope 
thateyou have found everything as you could have wished it 
here and that your visit has been full of enjoyment. Such it 
has been to us, and we repeat that if our wishes and efforts 
ean avail, you will have duplicated our experience. 

There is a story told of two ignorant men quarrelling when 
one of them said, ‘‘Be quiet, I tell you.’’ And the other re- 
plied, ‘‘What is it you want of me?’’ Whereupon the first 
answered again, ‘‘I want your silence, and let me tell you I 
want mighty little of that.’’ As I have been asked to pre- 
side to-night, and as you have several gifted speakers to lis- 
_ ten too, I am convinced that what you desire of me is mainly 
my silence, and a mighty good deal of that. 

But in spite of that I must tell you what a wonderful week 
I think this last one has been. We may not all be old men, as 
in the Bible prophecy, but we certainly have seen visions dur- 
ing these past days, and all of us have rejoiced in the pros- 
pect of our coming, of our working and of our praying closer 
together in the future than in the past. But at last this week 
of refreshment ends, and we come together but to part for a 
season. 

_ In a wonderful sermon by Phillips Brooks on the text, 
““Then cometh the end,’’ he says: ‘‘You cannot rule these 
words out of life. You tell of any process; you trace how it 
is going to work on, from step to step; you see how cause 
opens into effect, and opens again to still further effect beyond, 


*Bishop Coadjutor of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Pennsyl- 
vania, and Chairman of the Reception Committee, at a reception given 
the delegates to the Council in the Academy of Music, on the evening of 
December 7. 


481 


482 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


and always by-and-by your thought comes to a stoppage and 
a change. The process is exhausted. ‘Then cometh the end.’ 
Your story has to round itself with that. ‘Then cometh the 
end’ sums up and closes all.’’ To these words I may myself. 
add that there is but one exception to this truth of time and 
space; there is but one reign which terminates not here, and 
which cometh not to an end. That is the reign of Him in 
whose name we are meeting; of Him of whom all these mul- 
tiplied gatherings of friends form but a sweet foretaste; the 
reign of Jesus Christ. 

And as during these few days which are come and gone all 
too quickly, we have tasted somewhat of the blessings of unity. 
There has often occurred to me these exquisite lines of Keats: 


‘«Then I felt like some watcher of the skies: 
When a new planet swims into his ken; 
Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes 
He stared at the Pacific, and all his men 
Looked at each other with a wild surmise, 
Silent, upon a peak in Darion.’’ 


We have been trying to lay the foundations of practical 
unity through these gatherings during the past week, but I 
do not shrink from expressing my conviction that there are— 
worse things than a healthy diversity of opinion in religious 
matters, and that one of them is a dead uniformity. 

I love, and so do you, to meet a man of another Christian 
body than my own. It makes me grateful, when I admire his 
character, for the good work done by Christians of another - 
name. I do not hesitate to say that although this is true 
primarily of Protestant sects, yet it applies to Roman Catho- 
lics as well. I am grateful for a good Pope, or a good Arch- 
bishop, even though he may not care for my expressed ap- 
proval. I do not say that I shall meet him in Heaven, for I 
may not be there myself, but if he is all that we think him, he 
will certainly stand with good Protestants in perfect peace 
around the throne. In this spirit of good will toward all who 
love the, Lord Jesus Christ in truth and sincerity, let us listen 
to the words of those friends to whose greetings and con- 
eratulations we are to give our respectful attention to-night, 


Endeavor to Reunite Christendom 


Experience Gained in Two Countries 


By THe Rey. CHarues F. AKxep, D.D.* 


Bishop Mackay-Smith, Bishop Hendrix, Brethren and Fathers 

Members of the churches of Philadelphia: 

It is an exceedingly great joy to me to be permitted to 
tender on behalf of the Federal Council of the Churches of 
Christ in America the deepest gratitude to the churches, the 
citizens, and the press of Philadelphia for the generous wel- 
come which you have united in offering to us during this last 
week. The formal expression of our gratitude will be made to- 
morrow morning in full session by proper resolutions, but im 
the presence of this representative and influential audience it 
is fitting that a word, heartfelt and sincere, should be spoken 
in acknowledgment of the courtesy and the kindness and the 
hospitality which have been so freely offered to us. Your 
goodness to us, your welcome, and the large service of the 
press of Philadelphia have been worthy of the traditions of 
this great city and worthy of the name you bear, and I am 
permitted, on behalf of the Federal Council, to speak this sin- 
gle word of sincere acknowledgment and gratitude. 

- Bishop Mackay-Smith, you have spoken of one of the great 
historic churches which is not represented in the Federal 
Council of America. I remember remarking once to a dear 
friend of my own, a monseigneur of the Roman Church, who 
had been honored by Pope Pius IX, that according to the 
doctrines of his church I feared that I was on the way to the 
wrong place; and the Monseigneur very graciously informed 
me that he took a far more hopeful view of my fate than 


_ that. He said that he had little doubt that the Church had 


made merciful provision for such as myself. He said that 
he believed I should be saved through my invincible ignorance. 
It was a concession that covered a large area, and I know 


*Pastor of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church of New York. 
483 


484 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


very well that it is to this invincible ignorance that I owe 
the honor that I appreciate so highly, the honor of represent- 
ing the Federal Council in the grand reception of to-night. 
It is my ignorance of the affairs of my adopted country and 
the desire on the part of the promoters of the movement that 
there should be heard a voice from the old world, and that 
one who has been familar with the process of the federation of 
the churches in Great Britain should bear witness in this 
magnificent assembly to the world-wide aspect of the work 
which we represent. 

It has been my great good fortune to see the work of the 
federation of the free churches of England proceed from the 
very inception of the idea. Before ever the federation was 
born, those of us who had conceived the idea met together to 
see what were the possibilities in Great Britain, and from that 
hour until a certain church in New York City was so mis- 
guided as to seek my help, I have been familiar with the work 
of the federation in Great Britain. It is, therefore, with the 
utmost joy that I am permitted to come into the same work 
in this country, and to see sweep into the vision of us all 
this world-wide view of the reunion of Christendom. For we 
represent something that is not local nor even national,—we 
represent that which is international, and which is to be made 
as wide as Christianity itself. From Great Britain the move- 
ment, as you know, for the federation of the churches has 
spread far away under the Southern Cross in the common- 
wealth of Australia, and has begun to unite the churches of 
South Africa; and it would not be strange if the audacity of 
the Englishman went so far as to claim that the influence of 
his example had not been lost in the creation of the Federal 
Council which we represent to-night. If such claim as that 
were made, there would be nothing strange, either, in the 
recognition of the fact that not for the first time in history 
here on this continent you have outgrown the purpose and 
the spirit of your illustrious progenitors and you have bet- — 
tered their instruction. 2 

We represent in the Council, whose sessions have been 
visibly overuled by the presence and the spirit of the most 
High God, the most far-reaching and magnificent endeavor 


FAREWELL TO THE COUNCIL. 485 


to reunite Christendom that the world has seen since Chris- 
tendom was first divided against itself, and one would be 
chargeable with no exaggeration if he declined to speak with 
yourself, sir, of our ‘‘modest gatherings,’’ and if he felt 
that modesty would be singularly out of place-—he would 
be chargeable with no exaggeration, but only with a daring 
prevision of faith, who saw in the movement for the federa- 
tion of Protestant Christianity upon this continent the great- 
est effort of the Spirit of God poured out upon the peoples 
since the day of Pentecost itself; and it is fitting, sir, that 
such an outpouring of the Spirit should find its operation wh 
this great land. 

Negatively, you possess vast advantages over the movement 
of which I have been speaking in the Old Land. Here in this 
country we have no established church to dwarf the idea of 
religion and degrade most religion in the hands of its official 
chiefs, and not only have we no established church, but we can 
have none. Under the Constitution, Congress has no power 
to establish one sect to the disadvantage of another. The tes- 
timony of John Morley, now Lord Morley, of Blackburn— 
““Honest John,’’ whom years ago we used to think of as John 
Morley the antagonistic and the only Christian man left in the 
House of Commons—John Morley has borne testimony to this, 
that the state establishment of religion in England has divid- 
ed England into two hostile camps ever since the time of the 
Reformation. We have no such division into hostile camps in 
this land. 

And again, those of us who have been working for the 
federation of the churches in England, have had to spend 
much of our energy and time and strength in developing the 
Seriptural idea of the Church and the Scriptural idea of the 
ministry, in protest. in perennialy protest, against a sacra- 
mentalism and a sacerdotalism which threatened and which 
threaten the life of Protestantism itself. We have had to de- 
clare that it was not for Free Church men to stand, cap in 
hand, knocking at the doors of the Vatican to ask the Pope 
to recognize the validity of our orders of ministry. We have 
had to declare that there was no city missionary in a crime- 
cursed city slum, and no teacher in the infant class of a Sun- 


486 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


day-school, and no godly old woman in the pew whose orders 
of ministry were not as valid as those of any bishop of Rome 
that claimed to wield St. Peter’s keys. We have had to de- 
clare in the name of the Protestantism whose trustees we felt 
and feel ourselves to be, that. it was not possible for any 
rite or creed or church or priest to come between the heart— 
the tremulous heart—of men and the creative and sustain- 
ing heart of God. Here is the sin-burdened and penitent soul; 
here is the risen Lord of Light and Life and Glory. The evan- 
gelical Protestantism of which we are the trustees has for its 
essence, for its heart amd soul, the hfe giving affirmation of 
the God-given right and power of every sinning son of man 
to come direct for pardon and peace to a crucified and risen 
Christ. 

In this country these truths are the imperishable possession 
of us all, and we have not to spend time and strength and 
power in maintaining the essence of a faith which is dear to— 
the heart of every Protestant church in the land. We have, 
then, these great and signal advantages. 

Positively our vision is broader, deeper, and the future is 
radiant with fresh and with freshening hope. This is a land 
in which there has been demonstrated to the world the possi- 
bility of federation on a scale more vast than has been known 
in history before. The federation principle of Ameriea, the 
federation of free, self-governing states in one great and 
mighty nation has had to bear the test of terrible times. It 
has withstood the test of secession and of war, but he is a 
poor American who does not believe to-day that the splendor 
of its noonday will outshine the golden glory of its dawn. 
You will eall to mind—many of you will eall to mind—words 
that were spoken in that day of difficulty and trial and stress 
by Englishmen whose names are dear to us all. I mention 
only the view, the mistaken and what seemed then and what 
has seemed to many since the cruel view, of the greatest Eng- 
lishman since Oliver Cromwell, the view of Mr. Gladstone him- 
self. 

I have met here citizens in this land who have told me they 
could never forgive Gladstone for what he had to say about 
you in the time of your war, and my answer always is, ‘‘ But 


FAREWELL TO THE COUNCIL. 487 


you would forgive him if you understood that Gladstone went 
to his grave unable to forgive himself for that tremendous mis- 
take, and that he apologized to this country in language of 
magnanimous and magnificent self-abasement absolutely with- 
out parallel in the history of statesmanship.’’ And if you 
remember that, you remember also the vision which dawned 
upon the inspired mind of another Englishman in that hour, 
John Bright. After Gladstone had spoken those words that 
you have thought unforgivable, John Bright rose in the 
House of Commons and said, ‘‘It may be so; it may be so; 
but another and a brighter vision dawns upon my gaze. It 
may be only a dream, but I shall cherish it. I seem to see 
from the frozen North to the glowing South and from the 
Atlantic coast westward to the peaceful billows of the Pacific 
main, and I see over all that vast continent one people, one 
nation, one language, one flag, and everywhere the home of 
liberty and the refuge of the oppressed of every clime.’’ You 
know, and the world knows, how that vision has been realized 
in history. Your flag floats over mountain and prairie and 
teeming cities, where free men live, not for the glory of this 
land alone, but for the blessing of the world. The stars that 
redeem the night from blackness and the red beams of morn- 
ing that tell that a new day is breaking for mankind are the 
emblems you fling wide to the breeze, and the prayer of 
Lowell spoken upon earth has been answered from Heaven: 

‘*Karth’s biggest country has found her soul and risen up 
earth’s greatest nation..”’ 

And, ladies and gentlemen, this land which has made such 
a demonstration of the possibilities of federation to the world 
is peculiarly, as it seems to me, in the providence of God the 
one land on earth where that selfsame spirit working through 
the institutions of this vast federation of states may bring 
about a federation of churches even more prolific of blessing 
for mankind; and here another and a deeper prayer may be 
answered : the Saviour’s prayer, ‘‘that they all might be one.’’ 
The fulfilment of ‘this prayer does not demand,—as you have 
pointed out, Bishop Mackay-Smith,—does not demand identity 
of creed, uniformity of worship or a single organization. It 
does demand one spirit, and that the spirit of brotherhood; 


a 


488 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


and the progress of such unity in the present day and in the 
coming days turns upon our growing appreciation of those 
forms of goodness different from our own. It is not for us to 
minimize—I agree with you, sir, in what you have said at 
the outset—that it is not for us to minimize conscientious dif- 
ferences of conviction. It is not less conscience and less con- 
viction that we want; it is more. A condition of union is 
that you shall be worth uniting with, and the man without 
conscience and without conviction is not worth the trouble of 
trying to unite with. , 

We are, it is perfectly clear,—we are entitled to our con- 
victions and to our differences. The principle upon which 
we stand, that which the Council is ready officially to recog- 
nize and officially endorse, is that while we are learning that 
the differences that separate us are smaller in number and 
less important and less fruitful than those that unite us, none 
the less for those differences which are peculiar and distine- 
tive—this is the important thing—they exist for good and not 
for evil. So you have told us, sir, and so the Council believes 
and holds; in so far as our distinctions are peculiar to our- 
selves they exist for good and not for evil. Uniformity is not 
to be sought. Living men differ. It is the dead who agree. 
If you want uniformity you can get it in the cemetery. But 
the principle that I am trying so awkwardly to enunciate is. 
this: that to every one of the great historic denominations God 
has entrusted either a special truth or else a special way of 
holding and presenting truth, which fastens upon that de- 
nomination the obligation to go on living and working until 
that truth is absorbed by the whole Church. It is not neces- 
sary that we should wear the same uniform. It is not neces- 
sary that we should wield the same weapon. Every weapon 
is a good weapon if a strong man’s hand grasps it, and every 
uniform is'a good uniform if beneath it there beats a true 
man’s heart. 

This absorption of the forms of truth peculiar and dis- 
tinetive to each by the whole is not merely consistent with 
the genius of the American people. It is consistent with 
America itself. For the American is himself a new person 
upon the face of the earth, is himself the product of an ab- 


FAREWELL TO THE COUNCIL. 489 


sorption and of a blending. The blood of noble races com- 
mingled flows in yours. The American is neither Teuton nor 
Celt nor Slav, nor any one of the great historic families of 
-earth’s children. He has taken of the blood and of the spirit 
of the strong, progressive races of the earth. He has been set 
here in a large place, and there has been produced not Slav. 
nor Celt, nor Teuton, there has been produced simply. the 
American, a new person upon this earth, with an intellect as 
sturdy as that of the modern Scot and as subtle as that of 
the ancient Greek, but a new person upon the face of God’s 
earth. And just what has been done in this land in produc- 
ing the new person may be done, will be done, by this same 
federation of Christianity in producing a new type of Chris- 
tian. It is not that one is going to absorb the other. It is 
not going to be a question, Bishop, whether you are going to 
absorb me or I am going to absorb you. We are going to con- 
tribute, each of us, that which God has given into our keeping 
as trustee until the fullness of time comes when the world is 
ripe for us all. The deference to order of the Episcopal 
Church may not be lost. The Presbyterian demand for accu- 
racy of thought and statement must not be ignored. The 
fire and fervor of the Methodist must not perish. The contri- 
bution, Dr. Dunning, which the Congregationalist and the 
Baptist has made to the divine passion of human liberty must 
be conserved for he whole church. And so with all for 
which each one of us stands; and all this spirit absorbing, 
producing, reproducing, is to give us not a new type of 
Baptist or Congregationalist or Presbyterian or what not, 
not proselytizing—in the country that I come from they used 
to hang sheep stealers, and a good custom should not be 
lightly abandoned—is to produce not a proselytizing body. 
but is to produce a new type of Christian, a Christian without 
adjectives and without limitations, the heir of all the churches 
in the foremost files of time. 

And just as it seems to me we may declare that God means 
this blessing, this expression of His will for this country, so 
also we may declare the times are ripe for our coming. 
I have said that the American is a new person upon the face 
of the earth. You are living a different life from the life that 


% 


490 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


people have lived before you. You are living faster than men 
and women ever lived in history before. You are living all 
over you. You are living with every nerve, with every pulse 
beat, with every drop of blood in your veins; you are crowding 
more than twenty-four hours into the day; you are crowding 
more than seven days into the week. You are burning the 
candle at both ends; and then, for fear the other fellow should 
get ahead of you, you are lighting it in the middle, too. You 
are exhausting yourselves in feverish stress and strain, liy- 
ing by nerve and brain and living all the time and living in- 
tensely, and you need religion more than people have ever 
needed religion on the face of the earth before. You cannot 
live the life that you are leading without the constant re- 
charging of your own vitality from the spirit of the Living 
God; and men may turn their backs on the churches, if they 
will; they may disdain our ministry, if they choose,—it is their 
right, let them exercise it,—let them think of us as a feeble 
people and think that they can live by nerve and brain alone, 
—and they themselves will be the losers by it. Their emotions 
will starve and die. Their higher faculties will droop. Their 
very souls will shrivel. This country, living the life this coun- 
try lives, needs religion and needs the ministry of the church 
for which we stand. 

And this is not all. We are surrounded by a democracy 
such as the sun has never shone upon befgpe. A new age has 
produced new men. New men ask new questions. New ques- 
tions present new problems to us, and the church of the Liv- 
ing God has to meet the new situation and answer this new 
question, Whether this new democracy with power in its hands 
is to be torn by the demon of anarchy or possessed by a spirit 
of Christian self-control. There is no person in this country 
paid to discharge the function of that curious survival of 
Medizvalism in Europe,‘‘the keeper of the king’s conscience,’’ 
but the Church of the Living God must stand here as the in- 
carnate conscience of the nation, a standing rebuke to its ma- 
terialism, an everlasting witness to ideal and spiritual and 
eternal things. Churches exist to remind men and nations 
of the eternal laws they must obey and of the eternal love 
in which they may repose. This Nation needs us supremely, 


FAREWELL TO THE COUNCIL. 491 


needs the churches, needs the men and women that we are, 
needs an authoritative spiritual and prophetic ministry, and 
needs a welding together of the scattered forces of divided 
Christendom into this vast confederation as wide as all human 
life and as deep as all human need. That it will discharge its 
functions and rise to the height of its great calling I have, 
sir, not the remotest shadow of doubt. 

In the Old Country those of us who went abroad advocat- 
ing a federation of the churches there declared that it was a 
divinely created, divinely inspired, divinely equipped, divinely 
euided movement for saving-the free churches of England, 
that the free churches might save the land; and in that spirit 
I declare my conscientious and prayerful conviction that 
Christ is in the movement that we represent to-night, that 
Christ is pouring out His spirit upon the churches, and that 
we shall succeed in that to which we have put our hands and 
hearts, because we have come to believe that the arms once out- 
stretched on Calvary’s cross of pain and shame are now flung 
wide to embrace men and women of every race and clime and 
color, and in that belief have ‘demonstrated to the world for 
which Christ died that we are one in faith, if not in doc- 
trine; one in hope, if not in polity; and always and every- 
where one in love of Gcd and men. 


Religious Men Coming to Their Own 
Confidences in the Future Justified 


By tHe Rev. AuBgert EK. Dunnine, D.D.* 


Mr. President, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, and 
especially Ladies, because during all the sessions of this Fed- — 
eral Council this is the first time in which I have been able 
to see many of your 
faces at any of our 
meetings: 

Yesterday I attended 
two great assemblies. At 
one of them I saw one 
little girl, the only rep- 
resentative of your sex, 
in the midst of two thou- 
sand men. In the other 
here and there I saw the 
face of a sister. I am 
told that one lady once 
asked another if there 
were many women in 
the congregation of the 
church she attended. 
She said, ‘‘There are so 
few that whenever the 
clergyman says, ‘ Dearly 
Beloved,’ I feel as 
though I had received a proposal.’’ I am not saying this by 
way of criticism. I am simply pointing to a splendid fact 
that the men in religious things are coming to their own. 

We have had finely pointed out to us by Dr. Aked certain 
tendencies that are American, toward the ideal that is not 
only American but is coming to be universal,—the ideal 


THE REV. ALBERT E. DUNNING, D.D. 


*Editor of ‘The Congregationalist,’’? Boston, Mass. 


492 


FAREWELL TO THE COUNCIL. 493 


Christ and the ideal Kingdom. It seems to me that this Fed- 
eral Council is a product, a great product, of American ten- 
dencies in our time. Many of us can remember when a line 
that was invisible divided this country into two great sec- 
tions and there was little in common between them. We could 
never then have had a council of churches like this. But 
there were not only the divisions between the North and 
South. 

When I used to travel on the Pacific coast not more than 
twenty years ago I often heard talk of the differences of ambi- 
tion and interests between the West and the East, and the sug- 
gestion that sometime a great independent republic might rise 
beyond the Rocky Mountains and leave the East to itself. We 
do not héar any such talk now. The churches have allowed 
a sectionalism to survive that seems an anachronism. Why 
should there be a church North and a church South in the 
day when we are one nation and have become filled with a new 
national consciousness? There is no reason under heaven. 
in my mind, why there should be a Methodist church North 
and a Methodist church South, a Baptist church North and a 
Baptist church South, and so on with the others. The sec- 
tional lmes have faded away. The churches still stand guard 
over issues that are dead. For two hundred years and more, 
churches of the denomination to which I belong, though they 
were one denomination, were so opposed to one another in 
many things that they never could get together in one national 
body. 

Thirty-seven years ago the Congregational churches of the 
United States organized themselves into a national council 
and met at Oberlin, and the moderator opened his address 
with the now historic sentence, ‘‘We stand on the grave of 
buried prejudices,’’ but before we got through that single 
~meeting of the council we found that the graves had more or 
less been opened. Now, in the midst of this Federal Council 
and surrounded by these brethren and sisters who look on 
what will be a historic scene in years to come, let us hope that 
the things that divide us are not only dead but really are 
buried, and that the things emerge in which we are united, 
the great essentials of Christian truth. 


494 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


It is a satisfaction to us all that the men of this country are 
‘coming to take their task in Christianizing the world, that 
they are not undertaking to do it within denominational lines 
only. Look at the Young Men’s Christian Association, the 
Student Volunteer Movement, the Laymen’s Movement, and 
I may mention the Christian Endeavor Society, the Interna- 
tional Sunday-School Association. All these have leaped be- 
yond the denominational bounds, and while they are loyal 
to their own churches, for years they have locked arms to- 
gether in the march of the army for the conquest of the world 
for Christ. The Church seems to have lagged behind. Her 
more earnest members have outrun her in their purpose to 
do the great work that we are to do in the world; and now this 
Federal Council bears witness to a new consciousness, that na- 
tional consciousness, expressing itself in the religious con- 
sciousness of American life. e 

We feel, too, that it is more than national. It is an inter- 
national consciousness, and every man in America to-day who 
is loyal to his Master and conscious of it has a world infiu- 
ence that he never could have had before. When I was in 
the by-ways of Europe in 1896, during our Presidential cam- 
paign, I found it hard to find out who was nominated even for 
the Presidency in either party, and it was difficult to know 
anything from the newspapers of continental Europe of what 
was going on in this country. If there had been a three-head- 
ed dog or some curious, strange manifestation, the story would 
get over there; but last summer, as I was traveling even in 
country districts in Spain I saw in the newspapers transla- 
tions of addresses of Mr. Taft and Mr. Bryan, and the life of 
America was being daily reported on the other side of the 
world. We have become a world power in the last ten years, 
and the life of the individual American is being felt in all 
lands. 

One day in the railway car a.gentleman was my companion 

_ who seemed to be a Russian. I did not suppose he spoke Eng- 
“lish, but having a little difficulty with the porter about order- 

ing my dinner, he generously came to my rescue, and when 

I had thanked him for it and complimented him on speaking 

English so well he said: 


FAREWELL TO THE COUNCIL. 495 


**Oh, I am a Russian, but I lived for some years near the 
‘city of Rochester, New York.’’ Then he said, ‘‘But your 
country is not a free country. The freest countries in the 
world are the ones we are traveling in now, and Russia. For,”’ 
said he, “‘here there are two classes. There is the government 
on the one side and the people on the other, and if the people 
do not meddle with the government, the government lets the 
people do just about as they please; but in your country,”’ 
he said, ‘‘when I ride in a railway car, as I am riding now, if 
I want a bottle of porter with my dinner, in one state I can 
have it and they won’t meddle with me, but in another I am 
hable to be put in jail for it, and I never know which state 
Tamin. But,”’ he said, “‘somehow, your ideas are penetrating 
into these countries, too, and the common man is beginning to 
think he is to have a part in the government.’”’ 

Twelve years ago who would have thought that Japan would 
stand among the nations for representative government? Five 
years ago who would have dreamed that Russia would have 
two houses of parliament elected by the people? Two years 

ago who would have supposed that Persia would have been 

arranging for a constitutional government with a parliament, 
and who would have thought even six months ago that Tur- 
key would have become almost a free country, with Christians 
who had fought one another because they were of different 
names embracing one another and embracing Mohammedans? 
And even a few weeks ago who would have supposed that 
such progress could be made as has been made in China within 
the last few days? The thought that I am trying to bring 
to you is that the American man, the individual man, is 
bringing his influence into all the world toward freedom of 
government and individual life. 

Now, we have heard, since we have been here, a good deal 

said against the Church. Sometimes I think we take it out 
on one another when we want a chance to say something to 
the world, but cannot get at the world. We tell one another 
the worst things we think about one another, but we have been 
saying some things that are hopeful,—none that ring more 
.true with confidence in the future than Dr. Aked has said 
to us to-night ; and the sum of it all is, each man is taking his 


4 


496 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


own place and his own interest in the government of the na- 
tion and in the Church. 

Why, we could not get any great audiences to listen to argu- 
ments for one political party or another in Boston last sum- 
mer. Everybody said there was such apathy in the country 
that there was little interest in the election. There were few 
spell-binders, leaving out the President, who spoke more than 
perhaps he might have done, and two of the leading candi- 
dates, and Governor Hughes of New York. People said, 
‘*There is little interest in the campaign ;’’ but when the vote 
was taken, there never was such an independent expression 
of political opinion and judgment, and, as I think, wise judg- 
ment, as was demonstrated at this election, and the governors 
of several states were elected by one party where in the same 
states the presidential election went the other way. Now, let 
us turn around and think what this means to religion. You 
could not get torchlight processions, you could not get men to 
follow bands of music this year, but you had just as patriotic 
citizens and more thoughtful expression than ever before. 
They say it is hard to work up revivals, to get crowds together 
to hear the Gospel as we used to, and sometimes people say 
it is because there is a general indifference to religion. Breth- 
ren, there never was a deeper, more intelligent interest and a 
sense of greater responsibility to God among men in this 
country than there is at this moment. 

We have heard a good deal about socialism in these meet- 
ings. Sometimes it has been said that we are on the verge 
of great crises. We always are. When Peter stood up in 
Jerusalem he told of the prophecy of Joel, and he said, ‘‘ Joel 
has said that the time is coming when the sun shall be turned 
into darkness and the moon into blood. And now, It has 
come! It has come!’’ But the sun, I suppose, shone just as 
usual, and the moon spread its soft beams over Jerusalem that 
night as on other nights. There was a great crisis. We look 
back to that time of Pentecost now and say it was one of the 
ereatest events in the history of the world, but it did not come 
in the way that people thought who read the prophets. When 
we speak of Socialism to-day we say we are in great peril. I 
believe we are in less peril every year. The intelligence of the 


FAREWELL TO THE COUNCIL. 497 


citizens of the United States is constantly giving us assurance 
of stable government. I believe that the climax of the 
meetings in this Council was yesterday afternoon in the Lyric 
Theatre, and I want to say that Bishop Hendrix seemed to me 
at that time to speak as a brother man of the greatest Man 
with an inspired tongue. It was tender, it was kind, it was 
manly, it was Christian, it was brotherly; and when Mr. 
Hayes, the vice president of the American Federation of 
Labor, spoke in his turn I awarded him as much gratitude in 
my heart as I did Bishop Hendrix. I am told that he is a 
Roman Catholic, but you never would have known to what 
body he belonged by what he said, but you would have known 
that he was a Christian man and a brother of men. 

And when I noted that the word ‘‘socialism”’ there called 
forth considerable applause I thought of 160 ministers who 
lately signed a statement that they were Socialists. Then I. 
remembered that when they had to explain their position in 
the newspapers, they showed that they did not mean what the 
country supposed they did. They meant that they wanted a 
square deal for every man; they wanted justice done to all 
men; they wanted those who were oppressed the most to be 
lifted up by their fellowmen; but when you come to talk about 
socialism as a party program, which is purely an economic 
problem, I do not think they Inew much about it. That was 
not what they were after. They were after justice and right- 
eousness to men, and when men are after that, although they 
may make mistakes, each class may win the best government 
for itself, because the time is coming when they are going to 
discover that in a democracy the best government for any one 
class is the government which is the best for all classes. There 
ean be no help to one class that does not equally help every 
other; and when you seek that intelligently, the laboring men 
are not going to tear up the foundations of society on which 
they stand. When we looked at the two thousand faces in 
the Lyric Theatre yesterday I said to myself, ‘‘These are men. 
They are men who can be trusted. They are American men; 
and it is well the Church and the labor unions should look 
one another in the face and see that we have common aims. 

One of the speakers said in our meetings that the men will 


498 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


come to church if you will give them a man’s job. We are dis- 
covering that the men are finding that Christian life and ser- 
vice is aman’s job. That is one of the great discoveries of our 
day. President Roosevelt has made it a man’s job. Mr. 
Bryan has made it a man’s job. Mr. Taft has made it a man’s 
job. He took occasion the day after his election to give an 
interview, saying that although he had at one time had the 
snug idea that it were better for Christians to stay at home 
than to go to other countries to preach the Gospel, he had 
learned that the only hope for civilization in the world is to 
have the civilization which is based on the teaching of Jesus 
Christ. 

Dr. Wilfred Grenfell, of Labrador, has learned that reli- 
gion is a man’s job, and a multitude of the strongest statesmen 
in the land are teaching that to all the people. Now, Dr. 
Grenfell is the type of a man who is a Christian, and who wins 
men everywhere because of his manliness. ‘*‘The Congrega- 
tionalist’’ is publishing a series of articles by Dr. Grenfell 
on a man’s faith and how to use it. We wrote and asked him 
if we might give some description of what he is doing in the 
Labrador mission. He replied, ‘‘Yes, you can say what you 
want to about me, only don’t say anything about my saerifice. 
That is rot,’’ he said. ‘‘I am in this job because I like it. 
There is no sacrifice about it.’’ That is what we feel is com- 
ing in the hearts of the men of America,—the joyful accept- 
ance of the service of lifting up the world to the ideal Man, 
to the ideal Kingdom, to the Lord Jesus Christ,—a man’s 
job, because men like it. 


A Gavel For the President ~*~ 
Presented With Love, Honor and High Hopes 


By tHe Rev. Epwin Heyu Denk, D.D.* 


I should like to take one precious moment of the time al- 
lotted to this reception to fulfil a shght but delightful fune- 
tion. I hardly know why it was appointed me to perform the 
pleasing service. 

First of all, I suppose, because I happened to be vice chair- 
man of the reception committee, possibly because I represent 
that branch of the Protestant Church which is the oldest and 
the largest in the world and which made the first religious set- 
tlement at Philadelphia, long before Penn arrived. Our Luth- 
eran people gave to the natives a partial translation of Luth- 
er’s Catechism before Eliot’s work was given to the Indians 
of New England. Possibly, because I happened to have been 
married to the great great granddaughter of Bishop Baylor. 
at whose reading of Luther’s epistle to the Galatians your own 
great Wesley’s heart was stirred and aroused to become the. 
founder of the splendid organization which is represented in 
this Federal Council. Possibly, because you have made such 
frequent reference to and appreciation of the fact that this 
Federal Council meets for the first time in this city, where 
you have found such delight in making reference to our old 
Liberty Bell and that first federation of the States, at which 
also a Southern man was the first President. 

I assure you, Bishop Hendrix, in the name of the Federal 
Council that it gives us great pleasure to have you as our 
representative on this occasion, and to present to you, sir, in 
its name this gavel as a token of our admiration for the wis- 
dom, for the consideration, for the beautiful Christian spirit 
which you have exhibited, sir, in the conduct of this assembly. 
Asa boy your heart, sir, as mine, for both of us were Southern 


*Pastor of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church of Philadelphia, and Vice- 
Chairman of the Reception Committee. 


499 


500 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


born, may have bled because the cause of our fathers was 
not realized. We have lived to see better days and realize that 
in g United States there is a nobler brotherhood and future 
than in a dissevered nation. Whatever hurt you may have 
suffered then, I am sure, sir, that as the President of the 
Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America your 
heart has realized a choicer balm than could ever have been 
realized by the ideals of the men of the Southland. 

Therefore, with love, honor, and in high hope, in the name 
of the Federal Council, IT present to you this emblem of au- 
thority and direction, wishing you God’s blessing in the ex- 
ercise of your important office. 


Kansas City and Philadelphia 


The President Likes Them Both 
By BisHop E. R. Henprerx, D.D., LL.D. 


I thank you very heartily for this expression of kindly good 
will and of absolute trust. Let no one after this Federal 
Council have any doubt as to whether or not a Southern man 
can yet become President of the United States. I was born in 
the South and educated in the North. I was licensed to preach 
in the North, and have done almost all my practicing in the 
South. I was fortunately born in a Southern Methodist home, 
educated, Bishop Mackay-Smith, partly ina Protestant Epis- 
copal Sunday-school, attended also a Baptist Sunday-school at 
one time, was educated in a Northern Methodist college, Wes- 
leyan University, Conn., graduated at the Union Theological 
Seminary, New York, in the better days of the Republic, and 
by the grace of God I am what I am. I have survived many of 
the intellectual and other diseases of infancy and of child- 
hood and of young manhood, and I have served my country 
in many ways, until now one of the papers, without the fear 
of my wife before it, has ventured to speak of the ‘‘venerable 
bishop.’’ Why, that isn’t so. I expect to live forty years 
yet, and to see what Benjamin Franklin longed to see, the 
middle of a century away beyond him. He said he would 
have been willing to have died a young man in the middle 
of the Eighteenth Century if he could only live one year in 
the middle of the Nineteenth Century. God helping me, I 
am going to try to live to the middle of the Twentieth Cen- 
tury, or know a good reason why. 

Especially gratified am I to receive this symbol from the 
hand of the Philadelphians. You know the difference between 
Kansas City and Philadelphia, the two typical American 
cities. (I now speak purely of American cities, you know). 
I am like the little boy when asked who was the first man, 
said: 

501 - 


502 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


‘“Why, George Washington.’’ 

‘*No, no,’’ he was corrected, ‘‘ Adam was the first man.’ 

‘*Oh, well,’’ he said, ‘‘I suppose he was if you mean for- 
elgners.’”’ 

{ rule out, now New York and Chicago as foreign cities. 
I am just speaking of the other two great cities of the coun- 
try, Kansas City and Philadelphia. The difference is just 
this: a Kansas Citian is known by the fact that he is gomg 
somewhere; a Philadelphian by the fact that he has been. 
And yet the greatest influence in the world is that which has 
been, or well as might have been. Why, you have got a 
wonderful city here. It makes me feel perfectly at home to see 
so many faces of my colored brethren. I am told you are the 
third largest colored city in the Nation—Washington first, 
New Orleans nextgand Philadelphia third. Our differences 
are not so great after all. Philadelphia, like Kansas 
City, is a cosmopolitan city, furnishing Bishops and Presi- 
dents of Federal Councils. I remember what was said by your 
rotund Archbishop Ryan to my friend Bishop Glennon, once 
of Kansas City but now the archbishop of St. Louis. Shim, 
tall, brilliant, he met the jolly archbishop in this city, who 
said to him: ‘‘Bishop, do you know the difference between 
a bishop and an archbishop?’’ The new and slender bishop 
said he did not. Said the jolly, rotund archbishop: 

“Tt is just simply a question of the ‘arch’.’’ 

When I looked at Dr. Aked on the one hand and Bishop 
Maékay-Smith on the other and thought of the time when 
even Baptists and Episcopalians might be one, I found it 
was simply a question of the ‘‘arch.’’ The fact is, we are 
much more alike than we know. 

Had Benjamin Franklin lived to the middle of the last 
century he would have seen the two great men developed in 
this country in the middle of that century, men that were 
tall enough to be seen beyond the seas, two men, I say: one 
from the North, one from the South, one great as a statesman, 
one marvelous as a general,—Abraham Lincoln and Robert 
E. Lee. They were the two great representative Americans of 
a half century ago, and they were broad as this great Nation 


FAREWELL TO THE COUNCIL. 503 


is broad. On one occasion in General Lee’s presence men were 
denouncing the North, and that great man said: 

*“Don’t do that. You know, there is not a day that I do 
not pray for the men of the North;’’ and that during the dark- 
est and bloodiest days of the war. And just beyond the line 
was that great statesman, whose heart was thrilled every time 
he heard ‘‘Dixie,’’ declaring that that was the finest tune 
ever composed, again and again saying, ‘‘ Would that we had 
it,’’ until it was known all through the capital that Abraham 
Lincoln’s favorite tume was ‘‘Dixie.’’ On the day of Lee’s 
surrender, when the tidings reached Washington of the close 
’ of the war and the bands came around to serenade the Presi- 
dent, our Great Heart, as he came to address the crowd, did 
it in the same moderate language of one who was henceforth 
President of the whole Nation, and declared: 

*“One of the happiest results of the close of the war is: 
We have captured ‘Dixie,’ and now let us have it;’’ and I 
venture to say if Abraham Lincoln could have taken at that 
time a journey through the South no life would have been 
securer, no presence more welcome, and if he had gone every- 
where calling for ‘‘Dixie,’’ there would have been no sad 
days of reconstruction, there would have been no dark and 
bloody chasm, and this land would have united around a man 
great enough to have been president of the whole Nation. 

Let us look to what is good in one another. Let us re- 
member that in that marvelous English ritual which we Metho- 
dists have gotten from the Church of England, and got it 
really before Bishop White came to labor among you (for the 
oldest episcopacy in this country, as Dean Stanley pointed 
out, is the Methodist episcopacy), let us remember how in that 
ritual Roman Catholics have had their part even back to the 
days of Augustus; let us remember, too, that it gathers up the 
best devotional language of all lands and all sects. In these 
wonderful hymns we sing, look, I beg ef you, again and again 
at the names of the authors, and it will make your heart beat 
quicker. Take the mighty hymns of faith of the Presbyterian 
Church that you sing, and take the Baptist songs and Meth- 
odist songs. It is thus, by taking the best in one another, 
that we learn more and more to love one another. 


504 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


My heart beats high with joy as in this city, where was 
formed the great Federal Union and where was made possi- 
ble our Nation, there is now formed by a wonderful historic 
parallel the great federation of the churches. We are not here 
to erect an established Church for the State. Thank God we 
are here to establish the State and to make it strong. We 
are here to hold up the hands of our rulers, to make law every- 
where to be respected, until the Nation shall be thrilled as 
the songs of praise are heard from one part to another of our 
great land, until reverently we shall ery, ‘‘He hath not dealt 
so with any nation.’’ 

Now, this is a long speech to make for a little bit of precious 
ebony and silver, but I.am glad of the occasion that has given 
the opportunity of my bearing this tribute to this beautiful 
and historic and hospitable city, and to the spirit that is mak- 
ing us more and more an indissoluble Nation, and, thank God, 
more and more a mighty Federal Union of the Churches of 
Christ in America. 


2. eee ee ae 


te APPENDIX A 
The Letter Missive. 


505 


The Letter Missive 


The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in Ameriea, 
Dy 2) Lge eee 


In the name and fellowship of Jesus Christ our Divine Lord 
and Saviour, Greeting: 


It is our high privilege to announce to you that the Federal 
Council of the Churches of Christ in America, in pursuance of 
the plan adopted at the Inter-Church Conference on Federa- 
tion held at Carnegie Hall, New York City, November 15-21, 
1905, and subsequently ratified by the several constituent 
bodies there represented, has now, in the city of Philadelphia, 
in its first meeting, December 2-8, 1908, completed most har- 
moniously its organization and enters with the enthusiasm of 
conviction upon its work. 

The roll of the Council disclosed the fact that there were 
present over three hundred delegates owing allegience to 
thirty-three churches, representing over seventeen millions of 
communicants and in members and adherents, more than half 
the population of the United States. The Council elected as 
its officers for four years, the Rev. Eugene R. Hendrix, LL.D., 
Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, President; 
the Rev. E. B. Sanford, D.D., Corresponding Secretary; the 
Rey. Rivington D. Lord, D.D., Recording Secretary, and Mr. 
Alfred R. Kimball, Treasurer. The Executive Committee, 
upon which large responsibilities are placed, will consist of 
one representative from each constituent body with another 
member for every five hundred thousand additional church 
members. Committees of at least twenty-five members, sub- 
ject to the Executive Committee, were provided for on Foreign 
Missions, Home Missions, Education and Literature, Temper- 
ance, Family Life, Social Service. Four branch offices in 


*Frank Mason North, Chairman; William H. Black, J. H. Garrison, 
A. J. MeKelway, Shailer Matthews, George M. Pepper, George Reynolds, 
S. H. Wainwright and George U. Wenner. This letter under direction 
of the Council is to be sent to the National Assemblies of all the Con- 
stituent Bodies. 


507 


508 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


strategic centers were authorized, to be established at the dis- 
cretion of the Executive Committee. The Committee was em- 
powered to hold its annual meetings in different parts of the 
country for the promotion of the principles and practice of 
federation. 
The Federal Council, as it became conscious of the numbers 
and potency of the religious forces represented in its mem- 
bership, was profoundly impressed with the present oppor- 
tunity for coordinating the churches in the interest of wiser 
and larger service for America and for the Kingdom of God. 
The relation of the Council to present and future enter- 
prises of the several churches and to interdenominational 
movements was considered in untrammeled discussion. With 
utmost care the scope of its duties and the limitations of its 
powers were defined. Its final conclusions were reached in 
every instance with substantial unanimity. The wide range 
of topics, practical, timely, vital, which, in papers, debate and 
popular addresses, held the attention of the Council, revealed 
with startling clearness that essential unity in convictions, in 
aims, in sympathy, in faith, which, from the beginning of the 
movement toward federation, has been felt surely to underlie 
the hopes and activities of the churches of Christ. Strong 
utterances on the relation of the Church to Modern Industry, 
to Temperance, to International Peace, to Family Life, to 
Religious Instruction, were adopted with an enthusiasm in 
which no distinctions of sect or of section could be detected. 
The advance from co-operation to federation in certain foreign 
mission fields was discussed with animation by experts in ad- 
ministration, and was emphasized with unqualified approval. 
The confidence that by true federation in the home land, on 
the frontiers and in the cities, the production of power will 
surely follow the reduction of waste, was on every side af- 
firmed. The organization of state, municipal and other local 
federations of the churches was described by men to whom 
such movements are no longer experimental. The practical 
possibilities of combining and concentrating by some system of 
federation the scattered forces of the church for the abatement 
of civic and national evils, for the increased efficiency of 
Christian service and for the maintenance of social righteous- 


THE LETTER MISSIVE. 509 


ness were set forth with convincing earnestness. The ad- 
dresses at the large receptions and popular meetings, in which 
the broad interests of the Kingdom of God were reviewed by 
men notable in their several departments, in missions at home 
and abroad, in the field of labor, in brotherhood, in evangel- 
ism, in young people’s work, lifted and widened the horizon, 
and revealed to the keener vision the vast outreach of the re- 
demptive purpose of Christ ‘and the glorious enterprise to 
which His church is galled. 

These discussions and conclusions of the Council will be 
presented to you in the published volume of its proceedings. 

The larger view of the task of the whole Christian fellow- 
ship and the deeper sense of its obligation disclosed more 
clearly each day our fundamental unity in faith and service. 
There was a new zest in exalting*the essentials on which we 
agreed, without disloyalty to the distinctive tenets of the sev- 
eral churches. No apology for fraternity was offered. Com- 
ity became comradeship. Fellowship increased force. It be- 
came natural to keep step, and the march had the ‘‘swing of 
victory.” 

The Federal Council asks no larger blessing for the Chris- 
tian churches whose authority has constituted it than that to 
their remotest borders may be extended this quickened con- 
sciousness of brotherhood, and that to all their Councils and 
congregations may come this vision of the power and progress 
of the churches as, one in spirit and federated in activity, they 
advance on their worldwide mission in the demonstration of 
the Spirit and under the leadership of their eee and 
Conquering Lord. 

Fresh from these experiences and convinced of these facts, 
we urge anew upon the several churches the value of federa- 
tive action. Federation involves no surrender of individual- 
ity, but invites co-operation in a common cause. It neither re- 
quires nor avoids a conviction concerning organic union, but 
provides a practicable method of co-operation and empha- 
sizes the essential unity of the churches. It accords with the 
spirit of the age and with the genius of American institutions. 
Tt gives scope and play to those personal and denominational 


510 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


forces which in isolation become peculiarities, but in com- 
bination produce power. While it excludes the distinctions 
of neither dogma nor ritual, it exalts the essential Christian. 
life. By it the power lost in friction may be transformed into 
propelling force and the Gospel of the Kingdom become more 
significant to the world than can any formal expression into 
which, through the centuries, its wondrous tidings have been 
erystallized. ; 

The Federal Couneil of the Churches af Christ in America, 
now formally organized, avows anew its belief in Jesus Christ 
as the Divine Lord and Saviour. Realizing profoundly the ~ 
essential oneness in Him of. the Christian churches of Amer- 
ica, thus associated, the Council desires most earnestly to pro- 
mote among you ‘‘the spirit of fellowship, service and ¢o- 
operation.’’ It invokes upon you the blessing of Almighty 
God, that in larger measure, as you meet the tasks, immediate. 
startling, grave, which confront you in our Ameriean life, His 
will may be done in and through you. We ask the aid of your 
supplications that in the effort, in so far as that service may 
fall to us, to co-ordinate the forces of the churches and to 
express to the world their common conviction and purpose, we 
may be ever directed by Him whom as the great Head of the 
Chureh we worship and obey. 

May the greater world of the present age, constantly en- 
larged and enriched from the resources of nature and by the 
energies of man, find for its redemption the larger church, 
united in all its parts by its one faith in the Divine Lord and 
its one love for men always, everywhere, to the end that His 
Kingdom may come and His will be done on earth even as it 
is in heaven. 

When the standards of the Gospel shall have become the 
rule of Society, His Kingdom will be here. When His Spirit 
shall have conquered and sanctified the individual life, His 
Will will be done. Out of the glowing heart of this new fel- 
lowship of faith, of love, of service, the Federal Council fer- 
vently appeals to the churches to search out the common ways 
of united and unselfish ministry, to give sway to the holy pas- 
sion for saving men, to demonstrate unanswerably, in complete 
surrender to their one Lord, the permanent reality of this 


THE LETTER MISSIVE. 511 


profounder sense of unity, by eager loyalty, intense, unswerv- 
ing, to the mighty purpose of salvation which brought Jesus 
Christ to humanity and through Him is surely lifting human- 
ity up to God. 


The Constitution of the Federal Council 


Plan of Federation Recommended By The _ Initer- 
Church Conference of 1905, Adopted by the 
National Assemblies of the Constituent 
Bodies, 1906-1908, and Ratified by 
the Council at Its Meeting in 
Philadelphia, Dec. 2-8, 1908. 


Preamble. 

WHEREAS, In the providence of God, the time has come when it seems 
fitting more fully to manifest the essential oneness of the Christian 
Churches of America, in Jesus Christ as their Divine Lord and Saviour, 
and to promote the spirit of fellowship, service and co-operation among 
them, the delegates to the Inter-Church Conference on Federation, as- 
sembled in New York City, do hereby recommend the following Plan 
of Federation to the Christian bodies represented in this Conference for 
their approval: 


Plan of Federation. 
1. For the prosecution of work that can be better done in union than 
in separation a Council is hereby established whose name shall be the 
Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. 


2. The following Christian bodies shall be entitled to representation in 
this Federal Council on their approval of the purpose and plan of the 
organization : : 

The Baptist Churches of the United States. 
The Free Baptist General Conference. 
*The National Baptist Convention (African). 
The Christians (The Christian Connection). 
The Congregational Churches. 
*The Congregational Methodist Churches. 
The Disciples of Christ. 
The Evangelical Association. 
The Evangelical Synod of North America. 
The Friends. . 
The Evangelical Lutheran Church, General Synod. 
The Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 


*These bodies were received into the fellowship of the Council under 
provisions stated in section seven of the Constitution. 


912 


THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COUNCIL. 513 


The Primitive Methodist Church. 
The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America. 
The Methodist Protestant Church. 
The African Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. 
The General Conference of the Mennonite Church of North America. 
The Moravian Church. 
The Presbyterian Church in the U.S. A. 
=The Presbyterian Church in the U. S. 
The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist or Presbyterian Church. 
The Reformed Presbyterian Church. 
The United Presbyterian Church. 
The Protestant Episcopal Church. 
The Reformed Church in America. 
The Reformed Church of the U. S. A. 
The Reformed Episcopal Church. 
The Seventh Day Baptist Churches. 
*The Swedish Lutheran Augustana Synod. 
The United Brethren in Christ. 
The United Evangelical Church. 


3. The object of this Federal Council shall be— 
I. To. express the fellowship and catholic unity of the Christian 
Church. 

Il. To bring the Christian bodies of America into united service for 
Christ and the world. : 

Iii. To encourage devotional fellowship and mutual counsel concerning 
the spiritual life and religious activities of the churches. 

IV. To secure a larger combined influence for the churches of Christ 
in all matters affecting the moral and social condition of the 
people, so as to promote the application of the law of Christ in 
every relation of human life. 

VY. To assist in the organization of local branches of the Federal Coun- 
cil to promote its aims in their communities. 


4. This Federal Council shall have no authority over the constituent 
bodies adhering to it; but its province shall be limited to the expression 
of its counsel and the recommending of a course of action in matters of 
common interest to the churches, local councils and individual Christians. 

It has no authority to draw up a common creed or form of government 
or of worship, or in any way to limit the full autonomy of the Christian 
bodies adhering to it. 


5. Members of this Federal Council shall be appointed as follows: 

Each of the Christian bodies adhering to this Federal Council shall 
be entitled to four members, and shall be further entitled to one member 
for every 50,000 of its communicants or major fraction thereof. 


514 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


6. Any action to be taken by this Federal Council shall be by the gen- 


eral vote of its members. But in case one-third of the members present 


and voting request it, the vote shall be by the bodies represented, the 
members of each body voting separately; and action shall require the 
vote, not only of a majority of the members voting, but also of the 
bodies represented. 

7. Other Christian bodies may be admitted into membership of this 
Federal Council on their request if approved by a vote of two-thirds of 
the members voting at a session of this council, and of two-thirds of 
the bodies represented, the representatives of each body voting sep- 
arately. 


8. The Federal Council shall meet in December, 1908, and thereafter 
once in every four years. 


9. (a) The officers of this Federal Council shall be a President, one 
Vice-President from each of its constituent bodies, a Corresponding Sec- 
retary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, and an Executive Committee, 
who shall perform the duties usually assigned to such officers. 

(b) The Corresponding Secretary shall aid in organizing and assist- 
ing local councils and shall represent the Federal Council in its work 
under the direction of the Executive Committee. = 

(c) The Executive Committee shall consist of one representative, min- 
ister or layman, from each of the constituent bodies, and one additional 
representative for every 500,000 of its communicants or major fraction 
thereof, together with the President, all Ex-Presidents, the Correspond- 
ing Secretary, the Recording Secretary, and the Treasurer. The Execu- 
tive Committee shall have authority to attend to all business of the 
Federal Council in the intervals of its meetings and to fill all vacancies. 
It shall meet for organization immediately upon the adjournment of the 
Federal Council, and shall have power to elect its own officers. 

(d) All officers shall be chosen at the quadrennial meetings of the 
Council and shall hold their offices until their successors take office. 

(e) The President, the Corresponding Secretary, the Recording See- 
retary, and the Treasurer shall be elected by the Federal Council on 
nomination by the Executive Committee. 

(f) The Vice-Presidents and the members of the Executive Committee 
shall be elected by the Council upon nomination by the representatives 
in attendance of each of their respective constituent bodies. 


10. This Plan of Federation may be altered or amended by a majority 
vote of the members, followed by a majority vote of the representatives 
of the several constituent bodies, each voting separately. 


11. The expenses of the Federal Council shall be provided for by 
the several constituent bodjes. 


~ 


oS 


THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COUNCIL. 515 


This Plan of Federation shall become operative when it shall have 
been approved by two-thirds of the above bodies to which it shall be 
presented. 

It shall be the duty of each delegation to this Conference to present 
this Plan of Federation to its national body, and ask its consideration 
and proper action. 

In case this Plan of Federation is approved by two-thirds of the 
proposed constituent bodies the Executive Committee of the National 
Federation of Churches and Christian Workers, which has called this 
Conference, is requested to call the Federal Council to meet at a fitting 
place in December, 1908. 


By-Laws of the Council 
Adopted Dec. 8, 1908 


1. The Couneil shall meet quadrennially on the first Wednesday of 
December at 8 o’clock in the evening, and at such place as the Executive 
Committee shall from time to time determine. 


2. The President of the Council, or, in case of his absence, the last 
President present, shall open the meeting with an address and devotional 
exercises, and preside until a new President is chosen. 


3. The Corresponding and the Recording Secretaries shall make up the 
roll of representatives in the Council from the certificates of the proper 
offigers of the constituent bodies composing the Council, and no one 
not thus certified shall be enrolled. The Council shall determine any 
question arising as to the validity of certificates. 


4. No President or Vice President shall be eligible to immediate re- 
election. 


5. A quorum of the Council shall consist of two or more representatives 
from a majority of the churches entitled to representation. A quorum 
of the Executive Committee shall be fifteen persons, and at least five 
denominations shall be represented. 


6. The Council shall appoint a Committee on Business, to which shall 
be referred all matters connected with the proceedings of the Council 
while in session, and all such papers and documents as to the Council 
may seem proper. It shall consist of two members from each church 
having more than twenty representatives in the Council, and one from 
each of the churches having a less number of representatives. The 
Council may also appoint such other special committees as to it may seem 
proper. 


7. The business expenses of the Council, the expenses of its committees 
subject to the discretion of the Executive Committee, and the salaries 


516 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


of its officers, shall be paid out of the funds contributed by the churches, 
but the expenses of the representatives of the churches in the Council 
shall not be a charge against the funds of the Council. 


8. The following committees, subject to the Executive Committee, 
consisting of at least twenty-five members each, three-fifths of whom 
must be members of the Council, shall be appointed by the President 
of the Council to serve for a period of four years, and shall report 
at least annually to the Executive Committee, and as much oftener as 
the Executive Committee may require. 

a. A Committee on Foreign Missions, to which shall be referred all 
matters relating to the administration of missions in the foreign field. 

b. A Committee on Home Missions, to which shall be referred all 
matters relating to the evangelization of our own country. 

ce. A Committee on Literature and Education, to which shall be re- 
ferred all matters concerning publications, educational institutions and 
plans, and Sunday-school work. 

d. A Committee on Finance, which shall prepare the budget foe the 
Council and perform such other duties as may be assigned to it. 

e. A Commission on Social Service to co-operate with similar church 
organizations, in the study of social conditions, and to secure a more 
natural. relationship between working-men and the church. 

f. A Committee on Family Life, to which shall be referred all mat- 
ters relating to marriage and divorcee and the development of family life. 

g. A Committee on Sunday Observance, to which shall be referred all 
matters relating to a better observance of the Lord’s Day. 

h. A Committee on Temperance, to which shall be referred all mat- 
ters relating to the suppression of the drink traffic. 


Members of these committees, not elected members of the Executive — 


Committee, shall become corresponding members of the Executive Com- 
mittee and shall enjoy all of the privileges of that committee, except 
that of voting. 


9. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of 
the Council and of the Executive Committee, and shall perform the 
other duties customary to his office. The Executive Committee shall 
have full power to appoint, when necessary, Associate and District See- 
retaries, and to designate their respective relations and duties. 


10. The Recording Secretary shall keep the Minutes of the Council, 
and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the 
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may appoint such as- 
sistant secretaries as may be necessary for the transaction of business, 
both for the Council and for the Committee. 


11. The Treasurer of the Council shall be the custodian of all the 
funds of the Council and the Committees, and shall perform the duties 


THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COUNCIL. 517 


usually assigned to the office, shall give bond in such sum as the 
Executive Committee shall determine, and his account shall be annually 
audited under the direction of the Executive Committee. 


12. The Executive Committee shall have authority to consider during 
the sessions of the Council or in the intervals between its meetings any 
business referred to it by the Council. It shall also prepare the docket 
of the Council, shall have charge of the preparations for the meetings 
of the Council, and shall exercise general supervision of all its affairs, 
and shall have authority to adopt its own rules for governing its own 
business. The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair- 
man, or in his absence or disability, the call of three of the members 
representing three of the constituent bodies, and ten days’ notice of 
meeting shall be given. Public meetings under the direction of the 
Executive Committee may be held annually in various sections of the 
country. 


13. The Minutes of the Council shall be published regularly by the 
Committee on Literature and Education, under the editorship of the 
Corresponding Secretary. 


14. These By-Laws may ke amended at any regular meeting of the 
Council by a two-thirds vote of the members present. 


RULES OF ORDER* 


I. The President shall take the chair precisely at the hour at which 
the Council is appointed to meet, and shall immediately call the mem- 
bers to order, and on the appearance of a quorum shall open the ses- 
sion with prayer. 

II. If a quorum be assembled at the time appointed, and the Presi- 
dent be absent, the last President present, or, in case of his absence, a 
Vice-President shall take his place without delay, until a new election. 

III. If a quorum be not assembled at the hour appointed, those pres- 
ent shall be competent ‘to adjourn from time to time, that an oppor- 
tunity may be given for a quorum to assemble. 

IV. It shall be the duty of the President at all times to preserve 
order, and to endeavor to conduct all business before the Council to 
a speedy and proper result. 


V. The President may speak to points of order, in preference to. 


other members, rising from his seat for that purpose; and shall decide 
questions of order, subject to an appeal to the Council by any two mem- 
bers. 

VI. The President shall appoint all Committees, except in those cases 
in which the Council shall decide otherwise. 

VII. The person first named on any Committee shall be considered 
as the Chairman thereof, whose duty it shall be to convene the Com- 
mittee; and in case of his absence or inability to act, the second named 
member shall take his place and perform his duties. ‘ 

VIII. It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to place 
promptly a complete roll of the members present in the hands of the 


President, and whenever any additional members take their seats, to 


add their names, in their proper places, to the said roll. 


IX. It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary immediately 


to file all papers, in the order in which they have been read, with proper 
endorsements, and to keep them in perfect order. The Corresponding 
Secretary shall receive all memorials and miscellaneous papers address- 
ed to the Council; shall make record of the same, and deliver them to 
the Business Committee for appropriate disposition or reference. 

X. The Minutes of the last meeting of the Council shall be presented 
at the commencement of its session, and, if requisite, read and cor- 
rected. 

XI. Business left unfinished at the last sitting is ordinarily to be 
taken up first. 

XII. A motion made must be seconded, and afterwards repeated by 


(Referred to the Executive Committee to report to the Council of 1912.) 
518 j 


a — ie 


RULES OF ORDER. 519 


the President, or read aloud, before it is debated; and every motion 
shall be reduced to writing, if the President or any member require it. 

XIII. Any member who shall have made a motion shall have liberty 
to withdraw it, with the consent of his second, before any debate has 
taken place thereon; but not afterwards, without the leave of the 
Council. ; 

XIV. If a motion under debate contain several parts, any two mem- 
bers may have it divided, and a question taken on each part. 

XV. When various motions are made with respect to the filling of 
blanks, with particular numbers or times, the question shall always be 
first taken on the highest number and the longest time. 

XVI. Motions to lay on the table, to take up business, to adjourn, 
and the call for the previous question shall be put without debate. On 
questions of order, postponement or commitment, no member shall 
speak more than once. On all other questions each member may speak 
twice, but not oftener, without express leave of the Council. 

XVII. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be_re- 
ceived, unless to adjourn, to lay on the table, to postpone indefinitely, 
to postpone to a day certain, to commit or to amend; which several 
motions shall have precedence in the order in which they are herein 
arranged; and the motion for adjournment shall always be in order. 

XVIII. An amendment, and also an amendment to an amendment, 
may be moved on any motion; but a motion to amend an amendment to 
an amendment shall not be in order. Action on amendments shall pre- 
cede action on the original motion. A substitute shall be treated as an 
amendment. An amendment may be laid on the table without affecting 
another amendment or the original motion. 

XTX. A motion to lay on the table shall be taken without debate; 
and, if carried in the affirmative, the effect shall be to place the subject 
on the docket, and it may be taken up and considered at any subse- 
quent tinie. ; 

XX. The previous question shall be put in this form, namely, Shall 
the main question be now put? It shall only be admitted when demand- 
ed by a majority of the members present; and the effect shall be to, 
put an end to all debate and bring the body to a direct vote: First, 
on a motion to commit the subject under consideration (if such motion 
shall have been made); secondly, if the motion for commitment does 
not prevail, on pending amendments; and lastly, on the main question. 

XXI. A question shall not be again called up or reconsidered at the 
same sessions of the Council at which it has been decided, unléss by the 
consent of two-thirds of the members who were present at the decision; 
and unless the motion to reconsider be made and seconded by persons 
who voted with.the majority. 

XXII. A subject which has been indefinitely postponed, either by 
the operation of the previous question or by a motion for indefinite 
postponement, shall not be again called up during the same sessions of 


520 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


the Council, unless by the consent of three-fourths of the members who 
were present at the decision. 

XXIII. Members ought not, without weighty reasons, to decline vot- 
ing, as this practice might leave the decision of very interesting ques- 
tions to a small proportion of the Council. Silent members, unless 
excused from voting, must be considered as acquiescing with the ma- 
jority. 

XXIV. When the President has commenced taking the vote, no further 
debate or remark shall be admitted, unless there has evidently been a 
mistake, in which case the mistake shail be rectified, and the Presideut 
shall reeommence taking the vote. ' 

XXV. The yeas and nays on any question shall not be recorded, un- | 
less required by one-third of the members present. If division is called 
for on any vote, it shall be by a-rising vote without a count. If on 
such a rising vote the President is unable to decide, or a quorum rise 
to second a call for ‘‘tellers,’’ then the vote shall be taken by rising, 
and the count made by tellers, who shall pass through the aisles and 
report to the President the number voting on each side. 

XXVI. If more than one member rise to speak at the same time, the 
member who is most distant from the President’s chair shall speak first. 
In the diseussion of all matters where the sentiment of the house is 
divided, it is proper that the floor should be occupied alternately by 
those representing the different sides of the question. 

XXVII. No speaker shall be interrupted, unless he be out of order, 
or for the purpose of correcting mistakes or misrepresentations. 

XXVIII. If any member consider himself aggrieved by a decision 
of the President, it shall be his privilege to appeal to the Council, and 
the question on the appeal shall be taken without debate. 

XXIX. No member shall retire from the Council without the leave 
of the President, nor withdraw from it to return home without the con- 
sent of the Council. a 


— 


Aa Or WwW hYo 


APPENDIX B 


. Officers of the Council. 

. Permanent Committees. 

. Delegates Present at the Council. 

. Committees of Arrangements. 

. Program of the Council. 

. Delegates Appointed by Constituent Bodies. 


521 


= - . 
, 
' 
: 


Officers of the Federal Council of the Churches 
of Christ in America. 


President—Bishop E. R. Hendrix, D.D., LL.D., ...... Kansas City, Mo. 
Corresponding Secretary—Rey. E. B. Sanford, D.D., ...... New York. 
Recording Secretary—Rey. Rivington D. Lord, D.D., .. Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Wreasnrer—— Mrs Alfred R. Kamball, —.. ...0/ 2... ces sees bee New York. 


Vice Presidents. 


Baptist Churches. 
President Harry Pratt Judson, LL.D., ....... Chicago, Tl. 
Free Baptist Churches. 
Eton, Georre E.. Mosher, UL.D., ........0..-+ Boston, Mass. 
National Baptist Convention. 
LEG Vio (Geel Bead cpa Dl DER eee See Philadelphia. 
Christian Church. 
Reve wilson D. Samuel, DD... 6... 2s. ene ees Piqua, O. 
Congregational Churches. 
hovmensner Anderson, DiDi,- 2.23.52.) aeleen Boston, Mass. 
Congregational Methodist Churches. 
ime SOUbClITS, 2 6. onde s SE wets ol Philadelphia. 
Diseinies of Christ. 
Reweoe Ue Garrison, Gl DS 2c: seine St. Louis, Mo. 
Evangelical German Synod in America. 
They, Uc sD PRRs foo e ancora eet '.. Massillon, O. 
Evangelical Association. 
Bishop Thomas Bowman, D.D., .............Allentown, Pa. 
Lutheran Church. 
Revasmdwin ltey! Delk, DID 3 l....222 loch. Philadelphia. 
Mennonite Church. 
Bee NesbenGripb, aD ete... seis cls. oe ee ladelphia. 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 


Bishop Luther B. Wilson, D.D., LL.D., ...... Philadelphia. 
Methodist Episcopal Church South. . 
teem IN LEVEY A DIM eRe creo oie chet sc cuwialc whe wlises Raleigh, N. C. 
African Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Bishop B- HY. hee, DD.) UiL.D.,. -2.. 22-2 -- Wilberforce, O. 
African Methodist Episcopal Zicn Church. 
Sire Gren eu EI EFEG, SDDS Ate eicteieraia. Se fe 0 eye Salisbury, N. C. 
Methodist Protestant Church. 
hewn sennines, DD5) GED, 2.0... .6s Pittsburg, Pa. 
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America. 
nope eS aliams, DD 60.6 sje Augusta, Ga. 


524 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Primitive Methodist Church. 


Rey. Thomas M. Bateman, ‘Da, Seite ed New Bedford, Mass. 
Moravian Church. 
Rev. Charles. L. Moench, D.D., ..........:.- Bethlehem, Pa. 
3 Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. : 
Rev. Baxter’ PB: Fullerton; D205 -e3 eens St. Louis, Mo. 
Presbyterian Church in the U. §. 
Rey. James R. Howerton, D.D., LL.D.,........ Lexington, Va. 
Protestant Episcopal Church. 
Rt. Rev. Ozi W. Whitaker, D.D., LL.D., ..... Philadelphia, Pa. } 
Reformed Church in America. 7 
Rey: James I: Vanebs DIDi, a veee ease ee ee Newark, N. J. 
Reformed Episcopal Church. . 
Bishop Samuel Fallows, D.D., LL.D., ........ Chicago, Ml. 
Reformed Church in the U. S. A. | 
Gen. John > Roller, Aenea eee eaters Harrisburg, Pa. 
Reformed Presbyterian Church. 
Rev. David McKinney, D.D., LL.D., ........ Cincinnati, O. 
Seventh Day Baptist. 
Rev: di: -A.. Platts; (D:D. ones oe eee Milton, Wis. 


Society of Friends. 
President Robert L. Kelley, D.D., LL.D., .... Richmond, Ind. 
Swedish Lutheran Synod. 
Rey. L. G. Abrahamson, D.D., LL.D., ........ Rock Island, Tl. 
United Brethren. a ae 
Bishop J. S. Mills, DD. cen os = LUT eee 
United Evangelical. 
Bishop Rudolph Dubs, D.D., LL.D., .......... Harrisburg, Pa. 
United Presbyterian. 
Rev. \S. R. Lyons; D..; 22s es ee: oe eee Richmond, Ind. 
Welsh Presbyterian Church. 
Rev. KR... Roberts; DID. =-oee Fr fee Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 


Executiwe Committee. 
Officers 


Chairman, Rev. William H. Roberts, D.D., LL.D. 
Vice-Chairman, Rev. Frank Mason North, D.D. 
Secretary, Rev. Rivington D. Lord, D.D. 


Members, by virtue of Section IX, of the Constitution 


Bishop E. R. Hendrix, D.D. 

Rey. William H. Roberts, D.D., LL.D. 

Rev. E. B. Sanford, D.D. 

Rey. Rivington D. Lord, D.D. 

Mr. Alfred R. Kimball. 7 


OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL. 525 
Members by Electicn 
Baptist Churches. 
ogeeoward Ps Grose Does. .. wciw ee wee ernie New York. 
Hem Cn etGhiMaO ID A oe we eee > Obs LOUIS, Mo. 
hevevoun 6: Calvert,-D.D. .... <2... >... New York. 
Tn, Tey TSSTaH S112 Gy a ESS ve ee rene ee ee Pittsburg, Pa. 
National Baptist Convention. 
eae ae Gamcbackson ys UNDE cs ac kl eccye ave wie esis ete Jenkintown, Pa. 
Rae, DV ign Calle tint a 92) 0 Sela eee New York. 
Revere he: hopmsens) DD ts. lek eke Chester, Pa. 
Ter, (Gal WUE Deis 20,10) Se eee ne ae iecione Nicetown, Pa. 
Feet GOBCOW.| SDSL ao 2: ayaa chest cia shsysicde afeTst « Philadelphia. 
Christian Church. 
Rev: Martyn Summerbell, D.D., = ..-. 5.0.05. Lakemont, N. Y. 
Congregational Churches. 
Rey. Wm. Hayes Ward, D. D., LL.D., ...... New York. 
RemeatnbertiG. tering: DID svi. 2.6 cts te 3 New York. 
Congregational Methodist Church. 
Ewe EAIKer (SLEWAEC,. Gt afom clas toc ce. ole Philadelphia. 
Disciples of Christ. 
Reve OasbPowers sD i. sc6. ce emi via eee Washington, D. C. 
iBremeterbert, iMartin,? DUD.) 2 05 om eee New York. 
Fieve Mire xe SAUL IIUEUT I, a, oat) Shon) ict fod) wm ates = ce: Philadelphia. 
Evangelical Association. 
RewEeAGOlbe Schmidt: WIDE sd rere + ce cyetnn nmin ae Brooklyn, New York. 
German Evangelical Synod of North America. 
Bishops. C. Breyforel, D:D... .. os. 222s. 2 Reading, Pa. 
Free Baptist. 
Prof. Alfred Williams Anthony, D.D., ....... Lewiston, Me. 
Lutheran Church. 
Rey. George U. Wenner, D.D., ............. New York 
Mennonite Church. 
enema HON Ys 8 So mere bic cle ures cit aise oie .- Bally, Pa. 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Bishop Earl Cranston, D.D., LL.D., ......... Washington, D. C. 
Bishop W. F. McDowell, D.D., LL.D., ....... Chicago, Hl. 
evr urank Mason North, SD... cia. eos: New York 
Reversoon hs) Goucher, DED 5. sic os wre sie -e-a = Baltimore, Md. 
Mies rsamuel Woy TBOWNEs oe yovens nici s mercies 6 5 New York. 
Mires Etantord «Craw eOrd, 5 2's ci ireieus sos aiele woo ape'a a St. Louis, Mo. 
eves <P. etaven, UDI a5 2 ore claws = crcusie tes New York. 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 
Wik Avie 15); JER he So Br acme boro ocis Washington, D. C. 
ew George B= Winten, DID. o. oso ee = se Nashville, Tenn. 


Reve Pe remenncastilla. 2) actsernc sacs ss Danvilles likey. 


526 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


African Methodist Episcopal Church. 


Bishop: W..B. Derrek, 20D 2 uae eee Flushing, N. Y. 
Rev. H.-L: Johnson, Win tra a erties Philadelphia, Pa. 
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. 
Bishop George W. Clinton, D.D., ............ Charlotteville, N. C. 
Bishop Alexander Walters, D.D., ...........-. ‘New York. 
Methodist Protestant Church. 
Rev. BP. 1. Tage, MDa Tee rachael e Baltimore, Md.’ 
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America. 
Bishop-l:, Eb; Halsey iD ieee ee ee Atlanta, Ga. 
Primitive Methodist Church. 
Rev. John Bath) saree ere att seen eee Reading, Pa. 
Moravian Church. 
Rt. Rev. Morris W. Leibert; D.D.,, .........- New York. 
Presbyterian Church in U. S. A. 
Rev. Samuel J. Niccolls, D.D., LL.D., ....... St. Louis, Mo. 
Rev. WR. Richards: DzDs (.:. <2 cele seieeeeeee New York. 
Mr. Louis EH. Severangé" it. Sete nee ee New York. 
Rev. John Baleom Shaw; SDiDs 22... =. ser Chicago, Ill. 
Presbyterian Church in U- S. 
Rev. A. Ji.” MeKelway.< DIDI isan ee ee Atlanta, Ga. 
Protestant Episcopal Church. 
Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, D.D., LL.D., ..... So. Bethlehem, Pa. - 
Rev. Hl. El. Oberly, = DED sae ate ce .... Hlizabeth, N. J. 
Reformed Church in America. 
Rey, John/G. Page, DD: 2) eer = fen eins New York. 
Reformed Church in U. 8. 
Revs: Rufus We Maller DED. eee eee Philadelphia. 
Reformed Episcopal Church. 
Rev. Joseph D!: Wilson; DIDEO =. ee acts os oe Philadelphia. 
Reformed Presbyterian Church. 
Rev. James .Y5 Boice spi! Pen. oo oe aie Philadelphia. 
Seventh Day Baptist. 
Prof. Stephen Babcock, A. M., ............ Yonkers, N. Y. 
Society of Friends. 
Mr.’ Jameés: “Woods irs..5 029. oe saison oe ees Mt. Kisco, N. Y. 
Swedish Lutheran Augustana Synod. 
Rey. ,G., -Nelseniusy) DDE ee see atone eo Brooklyn, N. Y. 
United Brethren Church. 
Bishop George M. Matthews, D. D., ......... Chicago, Tl. 
United Evangelical Church. 2 
Bishop EL. B.-aartzlers DDE eras. ae) ie Harrisburg, Pa. 
United Presbyterian Church cf N. A. 
Rev. Js Cx Scouller. Beep er eee eee ee Philadelphia. 


Welsh Presbyterian Church. 
Rev. Ho i@s Griihith spec) septate TBE ateoke he Bangor, Pa. 


OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL. 527 


Alternates for the Executive Committee. 
Baptist Churches. 


INS GE SLES Leonie) 13 ("12 D SER Boston, Mass. 

Reveralbert, Go. lawson, DeDy, 2 osc oc e aise ener New York. 

Reve wwavisndinttoyte. DID. oo. 6c. eee cee Philadelphia. 

ino Wem Oarher tw). Uses wes teie see Muncie, Ind. 

; National Baptist Convention. 

ewe Wer emeredibhy OUD o.5. Sec sn cee eee Philadelphia. 

Reve PL MV EMNLOOTE., DD i gioco x tie a sed ooo Philadelphia. 

evi bos baliaberrO DD ss. 5 kc. a ees we 8 Philadelphia. 

Revers ae wloxander: DD. ced cee Se «eco ae Baltimore, Md. 

Revere brats: sSORRSON MUDD oc aici ee nee ee Philadelphia. 

Christian Church. 
ReveOM Wer OWCES IID. 5 ce ws cee ee oe Dayton, O. 
Congregational Churches: 
Rey. Charles H. Richards, D.D., ............. New York. 
Revs earkces Cadman) DD... 2... ete ee Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Congregational Methodist Ckurch. 
ingve Jana aye yd Cie Se eee ere ee eee Philadelphia. 
Disciples of Christ. 

eaveme eee DOGUs © fest <= riricicie oe vhalit tres > = Baltimore, Md, 

ever GeorrorA. Maller: ooo. s ces wes cec eens Washington, D. C. 

SVR ChCEEAINSHO. fies e Seciels oa classes wes Baltimore, Md. 
Evangelical German Synod of North America. 

vem emaen SCHMETOCT, = scp aisles Varin Ge ecaed Se Evansville, Ind. 

Evangelical Association 
president iis Jin KiekKhOCLER, 2). i. oo sie <sajniaiciaie Naperville, Il. 
Free Baptist. 
President Joseph W. Mauck, LL.D., ........ Hillsdale, Mich. 
Lutheran. 
Rey-erot J. A. -Sinomaster, D.D.,-.........> Gettysburg, Pa. 
Mennonite. 
Neauer PERN SoHE CNV EOD ora Scie = fo ay(dtc ie 2 w she ie's wie nie Berne, Ind. 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Bishop eWa A- Goodsell, D:D. LL.D: 22... 52. New York. 

Bubop yl. B: Neely, D.D:, LUD., .-.....-.- New Orleans, La. 

Wits ee Ete ERGO 2s... ae Sa e's osm ateln cl eiwe. sie Philadelphia. 

RRO el Gee WWHSOLy senec et GR aoe ote he cles Philadelphia. 

HOUR CreN EA MESOSWEll DED. ors cis wa cle wate pe Philadelphia. 

Rey. Claudius B. Spencer, D.D., LL.D., ...... Kansas City, Mo. 

Teiiigys WE tore Ge) U1 ED ee eee New Haven, Conn. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 
Wve Nese Nee BISHOEIENCS croc = 2 20. sis cise ele oiriein cle Roanoke, Va. 
BCuN aaa wletbe DD. ey. si cniclalg aha Sotig'e ele Nashville, Tenn. 


Rev; dames, Cannon. DD.,  ........2s8es ee ee Blackstone, Va. 


528 


Rev. J. H. Welch, D.D., 


Rey. John W. Smith, D.D., 


Rev. A. L. Reynolds, D.D., 


Rev. 


Rt. Rev. Cortlandt Whitehead, 8. T. D., 


Rev 


Rev. 


Rev 


Rev 


Rev. 


Mr. 


Rey. 


Rey 


Rev 


Rev 


Rev 


FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


African Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Bishop: 1... Js Coppin; “DTS etree eerie het ee 


Philadelphia. 


Washington, D. C. 


African Methodist Episcopal Zion Chureh. 
Rey.) J.) S.  Galdwells Dry oe: tases aerate 


Philadelphia. 
Washington, D. C, 


Methodist Protestant Church. 


Bellbrook, O. 


Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America. 
Bishop Ci i Phallinys ss D aD is Scns ieee ease Nashville, Tenn. 
Primitive Methodist Church. 


ev. A. D. Thaeler, 


N. W. Matthews, 


Moravian Church. 


Lowell, Mass. 


Bethlehem, Pa. 


Presbyterian Church in U. S. A. 


7. W. H. Black, D.D., 
7. W. MeKibbin, ).D., LL.D., 
yr. Charles A. Dickey, D.D., LL.D., 
Robert N. Willson, 


Marshall, Mo. 
Cincinnati, O. 
Philadelphia. 
Philadelphia. 


Presbyterian Church in U. 8. 


,, Edwin Muller, D.D 


95)» ew © 86 use © oe @ alle e euene 


Lexington, Ky. 


Protestant Episcopal Church, U. S. A. 


Pittsburg, Pa. 


Reformed Chureh in America. 


. P. H. Milliken, 


. W. Tracy, D.D., 


. W. H. Gailey, . 


Cyrus Cort, D.L., 


1 BPSD hates te secs ts Red IS 
Reformed Church in U. 


Philadelphia. 
S. 
Overlea, Md. 


Reformed Episcopal Church. 


Philadelphia. 


Reformed Presbyterian. 


Philadelphia. 


Seventh Day Baptist Church. 


Charles E. Tebbetts, A. M., ..... 


. J. 2: ands; DD ebb Ess seek 


. W. M. Stanford 
. T. B. Turnbull, 


. John Hammond, 


M. Stolpe, D.D. 


Society of Friends. 


A. Hi Mame Dipo: eee Ce pene Alfred, N. Y. 


Richmond, Ind. 


Swedish Lutheran Synod. 


Fee ake t Rife Sis keriere tole sie wom (siys 


New York. 


United Brethren in Christ. 


Dayton, O. 


United Evangelical Church. 


PADDR, 9 <i cae be tien eae 


Harrisburg, Pa. 


United Presbyterian Church. 


DUD cap aye gh dec hint 


Philadelphia. 


Welsh Presbyterian Church. 


cee eer ee 


Scranton, Pa, 


OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL. 


Committee on Literature and: Education. 


JOHN Bancrort DeEvins, D.D., Chairman. 


James A. Adams, D.D. 

Prof. George A. Barton, Ph.D. 
Mr. Nolan R. Best. 

Pres. Franvis Brown, D.D., LL.D. 
J. M. Buckley, D.D., LL.D. 
John B. Calvert, D.D. 

James Cannon, D.D. 

James E. Clarke, D.D. 

Mr. J. S. Dickerson. 

Albert E. Dunning, D.D. 
John B. Drury, D.D. . 


Pres. W. U. P. Faunce, D.D., LL.D. 


J. H. Garrison, LL.D. 

J. N. Hallock, D.D. 

Mr. William N. Hartshorn. 
William Y. Kelley, D.D., L.H.D. 


E. F. Merriam, D.D. 

Rey. Thornton B. Penfield, Ph.D. 
Pres. Alfred T. Perry, D.D. 
Pres. Rush Rhees, D.D., LL.D. 
Prof. William North Rice, LL.D. 
George W. Richards, D.D. 

Mr. G. H. Sandison. 

Claudius B. Spencer, D.D., LL.D. 
Pres. David S. Stephens, D.D. 
Pres. George B. Stewart, D.D. 
James S. Stone, D.D. ‘ 
Pres. William O. Thompson, LL.D. 
Pres. Charles F. Thwing, LL.D. 
Mr. Charies G. Trumbull. 

M. H. Valentine, D.D. 

Prof. Amos R. Wells. 


Pres. J. H. Kirkland, LL.D., D.C. L. George U. Wenner, D.D. 
Pres. W. D. Mackenzie, D.D., LL.D. F. H. Wright, D.D. 


Mr. Silas McBee. 


Commission on the Church and Social Service. 


Rey. FRANK Mason Nort, D.D., Chairman. 


_ Rey. Ernest H. Abbott. 
Rey. Z. N. Batten. 


Pres. George C. Chase, D.D., LL.D. 


Levi Gilbert, D.D., LL.D. 
Hon. Peter S. Grosseup. 

Pres. Robert L. Kelly, Ph.D. 
Mr. John E. Lennon. 

Prof. Shailer Mathews, D.D. 
A. J. MeKelway, D.D. 

Wm. E. McEwen, D.D. 

J. H. Melish, D.D. 

John P. Peters, D.D. 


John Prugh, D.D. 

Mr. Arthur B. Pugh. 

Walter Rauschenbusch, D.D. 
Rey. J. U. Schneider. 

Prof. Edward A. Steiner. 

Rey. Charles Stelzle. 

Josiah Strong, D.D. 

Graham Taylor, D.D. 

Mr. Charles R. Towson. 

Pres. Herbert Welch, D.D., LL.D. 


* Prof. Herbert L. Willett, Ph.D. 


Mr. John Williams. 


Temperance. 


Rev. Rurus W. Miter, D.D., Chairman. 


Charles F, Aked, D.D. 
Ezra K. Bell, D.D. 
Bishop T. C. Carter, D.D. 
Wm. A. Creditt, D.D. 


Pres. Sam’] Dickie, LL.D. 
Wm. Ray Dobyns, D.D. 
George Eltiott, D.D. 
John Galoraith, D.D, 


529 


Re 


Bishop E. W. Lampton, D.D. 
Bishop Isaae Lane, D.D. 

E. Trumbull Lee, D.D., LL.D. 
Mr. Joshua Levering. 

Bishop W. F. McDowell, D.D. 
David McKinney, D.D. 

Chas. L. Morgan, D.D. 


530 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Warren G. Patridge, D.D. * 
Rev. Frederick T. Rouse. 
C. D. Sinkinson, D.D. 

W. H. Staley, D.D. 

Mr. Chas. W. Sweet. 
George B. Winton, D.D. 

A. S. Zerbe, D.D. 


Family Life. 


Rr. Rey. WM. CroswELL Doane, D.D., LL.D., Chairman. 


J. Pressley Barrett, D.D. 
Charles A. Dickey, D.D., LL.D. 
Samuel W. Dike, LL.D. 
Azel W. Hazen, D.D. 

M. D. Helmick, D.D. 
Wayland Hoyt, D.D. 

H. C. M. Ingraham, LL.D. 
Rev. Samuel A. John. 
Charles W. Heisler, D.D. 

J. Spangler Kiefer, D.D. 

J. P. Landis, D.D. 
Alexander R. Merriam, D.D. 


David McKinney, D.D. 

P. H. Milliken, D.D. 

W. T. Moore, LL.D. 

Edwin Muller, D.D. 

Wm. H. Ruberts, D.D., LL.D. 
Pres. Isaac Sharpless, LL.D. - 
Pres. Wm. W. Smith, LL.D. 
Ezra S. Tipple, D.D. 

T. B. Turnbull, D.D. 

Bishop A. J. Warner, D.D. 
Rev. Edward 8S. Wolle. 

Bishop John H. Vincent, D.D. 


Sunday Observance. 


Rev. FREDERICK D. Power, LL.D., Chairman. 


Charles S. Albert, D.D. 

James T. Boice, D.D. 

G. H. Bridgeman, D.D. 

H. A. Buttz, DD LL.D: 

Rey. W. H. Bucks. 

W. D. Cook, D.D. 

Bishop E. Cottrell, D.D. 

Rev. J. EH. Digel. 

Daniel Dorchester, D.D. 

J. S. Frazer, D.D. 

David F. MeGill, D.D. 

Rt. Rev. David H. Greer, D.D., 
LL.D. 


Bishop C. K. Harris, D.D. 
Reuben H. Hartley, D.D. 
Rey. John J. Hill. 

Chas. B. Mitchell, D.D. 
Sylvester Newlin, M. D. 
Rockwell H. Potter, D.D. 
A. L. Reynolds, D.D. 
Bishop Henry Spellmeyer, D.D. 
J. Ross Stevenson, D.D. 
Rev. A. D. Thaeler.: 

Ame Vennema, D.D. 
Wm. H. Washinger, D.D. 


Foreign Missions. 


Rey. James L. Barton, D.D., Chairman. 


Thomas 8. Barbour, D.D. 
Hon. Sam’! B. Capen, LL.D. 


Bishop Ea1l Cranston, D.D., LL.D, 
S. H. Chester, D.D. 


OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL. 


Bishop W. J. Gaines, D.D., LL.D. 
A. B. Leonard, D.D. 

Arthur S. Lloyd, D.D. 

Rey. A. McLean. 

James D. Moffat, D.D., LL.D. 
Hon. Geo. F. Mosher, LL.D. 

Mr. John R. Mott. 

Edward G. Read, D.D. 

Paul de Schweinitz, D.D. 


531 


Mr. Louis H. Severance. 

Mr. Robert E. Speer. 

Bishop 8S. P. Spreng, D.D. 

F. T. Tagg, D.D. 

Mr. Chas. Edwin Tibbetts. 
Bishop W. M. Weekley, D.D. 

A. R. Robinson, D.D. 

Bishop A. W. Wilson, D.D., LL.D. 
L. B. Wolf, D.D. - 


Home Missions. 


Rev. LEMUEL CALL BaArRNEs, D.D., Chairman. 


David S. Bauslin, D.D. 
Mr. J. J. Barge. 

Bishop Wm. M. Bell, D.D. 
Bishop 8. C. Breyfogel, D.D. 
James W. Cooper, D.D. 
Bishop L. J. Coffin, D.D. 
Ozra S. Davis, D.D. 
Robert Forbes, D.D. 
Baxter P. Fullerton, D.D. 
Howard B. Grose, D.D. 
Wm. I. Haven, D.D. 
Edgar P. Hill, D.D. 


Bishop E. E. Hoss, D.D., LL.D. 
Rev. John G. Kircher. 

Paul S. Leinbach, D.D. 

Frank Mason North, D.D. 
Oliver W. Powers, D.D. 
Charles H. Richards, D.D. 

W. F. Richardson, D.D. 

Rt. Rey. Ethelbert Talbot, D.D. 
Charles L. Thompson, D.D. 
Rey. J. Brownlee Voorhees. 
Mr. John Wood. 

Rey. William J. Wright. 


Delegates Present at the Council.* 


Baptist Churches (North). 


Ghee see KEM WDE cn cose ee letems Sacee New York. 

FIG Ve banned DD os tye. wo cee ssa ne es ae Binghamton, N. Y. 
S. Ze TRBU TIS 101s Sebo ene Se ee ere Lincoln, Neb. 
evemro. Ger BOville te. leo... ited FO SS New York. 

(Cs: te WC oie ere Ds DS 2 oe Suet car aaa ea ear Muncie, Ind. 
NueitennGalleyes dain aetna iba ks wales se sid Upland, Pa. 

A SOMMOOMKIMN HMI PM ope sac Pea sss Sas era Trenton, N. J. 
Georsen Cooper Dey ps alee s Serial sts es ees Philadelphia, Pa. 
Tile: Gein (iden) i eb oma eemesonoooeT Upland, Pa. 
Cee) OG ee DMD) ee Ue is Siricteints weitere oe iets ie Baltimore, Md. 
eee E Seas GerOSC wea) Mts dees oitsie aveteics scr eleis sia © eers New York. 

Aik, Wu ING DEBS aie Aase oa enoaan oc conc Boston, Mass. 
slo Tal. ISG ERT DA DES nine eocie g ieminie Creel Rerat soc Philadelphia, Pa. 
\Wranvieiays 18 voy arn. DD) eel once cco OO n ota o oes Philadelphia, Pa. 
Gmninsikeesbaws. DiD iy pater tore oops we sein Sete Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Wis Ge een eee" IDWS SERS asaccoa scan scar Pittsburg, Pa. 
lever 18h, 12. diab; Mil IDs Ses an nieoe poemeos Chicago, Tl. 


*The full list of delegates and alternates aypointed by the constitu- 
ent bodies will be found on pages 53+-569, 
. my! 


a 


932 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


A: G, Thawsen, DADE os ieee ee New York. 

Rev. : D:).D:“ Munroe an ear rae ne ee ee New Haven, Conn. 
HT: -D; Penney, D 5 Gap en Burlington, Vt. 
Hons SE. UKOSPorientie =o. Sec eer Pittsburg, Pa. 
Geo. Rees: "DID etic. ee a eee Philadelphia, Pa. 
Kittredge: Wheeler; -D Dl" 2-2 aoe ce eee Camden, N. J. 
G..UA, ; Sears, DD 5 ae. eee eee Philadelphia, Pa. 
Mr. Francis: i AWeston, (joj.5 ese eee Philadelphia, Pa. 

National Baptist Convention. 

A, Childs 52D: Dig va toatice ce: Severe ae ae Philadelphia, Pa. 
WAS Creditt: sD eur: seeree eee eee Philadelphia, Pa. 
G. Ta Davis; Dip. we ones ee eee Philadelphia, Pa. 
M.. -W. ‘Gilbert; (DDE Ap scroe steers ssh es ee eeete .. New York. 

A. ‘Gordon; DID arctan e eee ses Oo ee Philadelphia, Pa. 
J.-G@ Jacksons, DDS Gh ss hice ek oat oe eee Jenkintown, Pa. 
Hy. Wi, «J ohrisonye DAD era e ce india tO a Philadelphia, Pa. 
i. We Moores (SD eis yi. Seen tokens nares Philadelphia, Pa. 
W: G.. Parks; DD ire toe, ea eeiaeiane foe Philadelphia, Pa. 
Wm. EL Pniligos ails aie is reer iaaeeene eee are Philadelphia, Pa. 
A, BR. Robinson “Des Oo sa. waves ee Chester, Pa. 

G: “LSP QRaltaterroy WED) oe. aor eee .... Philadelphia, Pa. 
D.. W. Wisher: DoD eases 5. toe as teres New York. 

Christian Church. . 

J. BF. sBurmett,7DsDs soto. anes ko eee Dayton, O. 

Ol We Powers; DoD ys ey. .eee tc ders eee eee Dayton, O. 

Wie “Dei Samiiel pe ISD 3) cisataevckenasse eae Piqua, O. 
W..W._StaleySv Dar pacts: sons cutters eee Suffolk, Va. 
Martyn Summerbell 7 DiDE Pes .5 te sen we ees Lakemont, N. Y. 
J. B. Weston, 6D:DF) wilt sen reer -1)-ayst ae Defiance, O. 

Congregational Churches. 

Asher Anderson; {DiI wic:-rtracen ys oereys sieeeate ae Boston, Mass. 
James’ 1, “Barton, DiDyy a2 icine cies Boston, Mass. 

P.... Al *Cool) GDED Ee naceue a iences ps ence ears Buffalo, N. Y. 
Ay Bet Dunnings SDE tiers ioctl eee eee Boston, Mass. 
Azel “W... Hazen. Das vost tiene cick nc eee Middletown, Conn. 
E.* C. ‘Herrmat 2) eee ice eis renee New York. 

Rev. Joel:\S) aves) <- 5.5 seen ae eee Hartford, Conn. 
COM Wied <Poysise ID DES Roo cnoor eds 2S _.... Philadelphia, Pa. 
None Pega Ih geen DD SES Aatidin sone Soa Ab ad ae Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Rev. H. A..-Mimer, 2... 0:25.22 .05.:--+0- +. 9 Madi senemiges 
R.. A. Potter: 1D2D ose aon eee ee ee Hartford, Conn. 
Charles: He Richards {sD se ents series aie New York. 

Rev. Sis ROOT 6 As peak ciete cree Siena reaeer Providence, R. I. 
Rey: (We “TD GROUSe seer cieie state tte steer one ee Omaha, Neb. . 
IB. Bi Sanforgss SD ae ce enters eee New York. 

Prof: B. AC Steiner wpe cer scion terie sees Grinnell, Ta. 
- W: “D> Sutherland Di geese crete seein ie Wellsville, N. Y. 
Wan. Ei Ward DS lila) etaye rayatetee eter sleet rat New York. 

Congregational Methodist Churches. 

Rey. Re W2 Bi iking eters et eerste Billingsport, N. J. 
Revs J: Baker Steweamdie qa. enim orvews -leie <tr Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rev, 2As. Sa. Wamamis ae crgepene nse peer Millville, N. J, 


DELEGATES TO THF COUNCIL. 533 


Disciples of Christ. 


IG. 1B ge) NOLO tae ee Baltimore, Md. 
Re vemeDCLeT: PAMIG Cry tela lo. es cfii sc ov sec ues Baltimore, Md. 
JERGSEs WiGiae aDE LSE e oe ee re Hiram, O. 

ies 1K Sh al SEs 5 A oe 8 Se eee ee Scio, N. Y. 

eevee Wewtan Crags CMAN se calc les evi ee cslelSic Philadelphia, Pa. 
Meme eer VINO CISIGHCD eee. sc ieieis ¢ fs ev «'elas-0's Hagerstown, Md. 
Heverdinevealter Carpenter, — .. 065.26 ses bees we Uniontown, Pa. 
resect Cramibler, Malin De... . sie wee ans Bethany, W. Va. 
hevemuawrence Menninger." ....-....2. ass Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rey. Thomas D. Ferguson. 

ne Vetee suet Crctstasont, elise 5.02 2. euss vce « St. Louis, Mo. 
ING\ig~ lbp Dp Is ILain AOS Seo Seine amie eae Seer Philadelphia, Pa. 
Ines dio das) LEO SINS See ene eee Winston-Salem, N. C. 
IE Oa © HASa Wie ISOM ip tenc)e's) wise an cise ie g's woe laine Charlottsville, Va. 
JENES, 1D, IDS SISA ce eee ee ne aes eric Milligan, Tenn. 
Reve achtenberser, Ph.Dis soo... eee New York. 

Hie emnCC Orme Arete NIN OT Bees oo or che cee sei se ris so Washington, D. C. 
Wire ba Hie MOntCOMET Ys. (2... ci ses oa cee cn es Philadelphia, Pa. 
EW eee WOONONA) 2 sea x cee woe vies eine. Columbia, Mo. 
Hones Whos Wee Phillips) or. 2 ce ee ee ae ewe Neweastle, Pa. 
Reve be Or ower, elles 062. ce cnc eee cee Washington, D. C. 
ieeteotichardsom sD Di cee. been eee cas Kansas City, Mo. 
Revere nutledge, ID... os. eee eee Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rey. J. G. Thompson. 

eveme CenleyardpE ZONED: fe cc disc slow vic viele ccs ces Philadelphia, Pa. 
VC Vemm emt Eure VOTT ONS Al. Shae wie we coe ee etre wwe Pittsburg, Pa. 
iG, Jel, big \Waueaik a PD Ee Aa ioe Someat Chicago, Il. 

Tigi, VUE lB NG oiked thee ieee ae ee Cincinnati, O. 


German Evangelical Synod of North America. 


A ueSU meteors Olina a:iatetel a. cieh sisi stern) Guat! aes, eects sie Massillon, O. 
Sve SAMUEL ONT tn gccrlas « < sa:k ew Soe os tere ove Ann Arbor, Mich. 
eves MObMinG. KGRGH OT Wii. c <2 5s cece ws see els Chicago, Ill. 
Reversi Schneiders PhD | lected ere cee ene « Evansville, Ind. 
PN COIE S(cimaaGh” 1DEIDEEY once Sore oo ea eo oeopeo Brooklyn, N. Y. 


Evangelical Association. 


Bishops. (C. Breyfogel, D.D:, = .)-. 2.5.2.6 Reading, Pa. 
TRG = y/o ls eal B10) Se eee ee eee eae Cleveland, O. 
Seem Grarmertistelders DD crac <cie ecto oe ayersoese Naperville, Tl. 
ipresele Je Koackhoeters Ph.D. oe... tines ves 6 Naperville, Tl. 
Tey, dt Bealsehipiach Be oss Screamo oe Bee ou pod Tiffin, O. 
Rey. G. Heinmiller. Cleveland, O. 


Free Baptist Churches. 


Alfred Williams Anthony, D.D., ............- Lewiston, Me. 

George Colby Chase, D.D., LL.D., ............ Lewiston, Me. 
JohmevienmleDavisy GDsDe 5.6 hms wie Rio Grande, O. 
Bonanno 1D, iret IDES Scoocoace aes anole Brooklyn, N. Y. 
George F. Mosher, LL.D., ............-+++---+ Jamaica Plains, Mass. 


Pee Ne SPACC WaD erie vie e's o eisleis ejoie! ais ele a els ervie == Keuka Park, N. Y. 


534 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Lutheran. 
C.-S..Albert; Duby cracks te de cee ee ee Philadelphia, Pa. 
D;, os Banrsliny GD cD) ies sete yee ey eee eee Springfield, O. 
P. Cos Croll yi De ea taece sid coe earn eee Lebanon, Pa. 
Bh. He. Del, DD oagscpeg aio cary see ae tee Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rrederick Gi. Gottwald. iD ce ne-eene York, Pa. 
NORMA ESO Win eID eon cakconsce. Philadelphia, Pa. 
George: U;, “Wenner De Dee. acini ee New York. 
Ao} hime Koyvoar IDI Soar eadoesnsobed scab c New York. 
Mennonite Church 
Rev.- As UME inetily sca sraeke tots ey ereret vy om ere Sondertown, N. J. 
Mien Wile (Engh) o|y io bec ook bone outpooo ago .- Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rey. iN. Be Grubb; iia « sete eens rae Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rev. A.) Bw Shelliyen tgs ste ee aeons renters Quakertown, Pa. 
Lethe AURA; tehiellis ba aaschoonuonnanbe Bally, Pa. 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Samuel We-Bowneye. wae dereenienee eee New York. 
GG; He Bridgman DADE a sorta oe eee Hamline, Minn. 
A As Buthz iD sD es eis sane eee tee Madison, N. J. 
Bishop Harl Cranston, D.D., LL.D., ......... Washington, D. C. 
Pres. | Sanniel Dicker Iii i parsers ret eee Albion, Mich. 
George “Diliott;) Di Die anata cee eran Chicago, Il. 
Robert, Forbes Dibi es da. toss cartes uate Philadelphia, Pa. 
Bishop Cyrus D. Foss, D.D., LL.D., ......... Philadelphia, Pa. 
John’ Gallon art hye BD wees ects iets ttt ieeene Boston, Mass. 
1 val Csulloysity, NUDED ILL IDL Sho eaooensoocoone Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Charles! 15 (Good ell DED re wietelai-l-cehslat ote tater New York. 
J. EY. “Goucher, sDED Aaa ahaa roca com arene Baltimore, Md. 
Mr. C. H. Harding, ...... SA GE tt ORGS ee Philadelphia, Pa. 
Wels Hlavens DDS seine entation ramet wts New York. 
H.C. 7M inerahame se seemeticete erie Brooklyn, N. Y. 
W.) Vee elleyae DED Tassel Dec ones stoma -voreeiece nets New York. _ 
OV si Wie Gi INGOTS He evarenete ere sleneitstotte lenere iste fete Pattetete Smyra, Del. 
Ge Wc Diers DED ya oar ere clay trea tatel clic aie tateholeter seat Philadelphia, Pa. 
hae oe Chem ID IDES Woo adeno b gods ude Mt. Vernon, Towa. 
Ay BL eonard, gah persarecteterterstetet tal ststeveneletete New York. 
EL 2C: “Mic Derm otib5s, DD Fister cteretrstet tat ret tanee West Pittston, Pa. 
Wallace” MadMinillensy2D 5D or eis cielo reise New York. 
Charles Mz wMeldens Dab ees ieee Wilbraham, Mass. 
W.di. Meredith, eDiDs wiare-sein ctocteretoetet et Norton, Kans. 
Cre bR EID LID A colo sgobokescucud yo. Chieago, Tl. 
Wea, Si) Marra. CD aD eee \ sere tcinteycieta etekanetn arene Wilmington, Del. 
Bishop 2B Neely, 2) Abr ise rer perel terete New Orleans, La. 
Frank Mason North, D.D., ..............-.. New York. é 
Pres. George E. Reed, D.D., LL.D., ......... Carlisle, Pa. 
Rev. Chas! SRetiss)i seca ome eterna eyo este New York. 
Henry Wade Rogers, LL.D., .............--- New Haven, Conn, 
J Morgan Reads DED se eect eye Trenton, N. J. 
Bishop “Henry Spellmeyer, D. D, LL.D., . St. Louis, Mo. 
C2 Be Spencer DED Fee wereierre ee eee Kansas City, Mo. 
S. W. Thomas, D.D., & Sate Drayhiave chocacietna uaa Philadelphia, Pa. 
SEN eels li OLS fee bakongeomeu gb oroont Chicago, Il. 
ID geS me yoy) MIDDLE A okoadaps acon docasnoc Madison, N. J. 
GIB: Wight DD is sacra varie) - 1d Trenton, N. J. 
Js. (Gh WVaISOnE UD AD) tceepeieasyers oraks lenisinaetarecietat nels Philadelphia, Pa. 


Bishop L. B. Wilson, D.D., LL.D., ......-...-. Philadelphia, Pa. 


—_— == - 


DELEGATES TO THF COUNCIL. 535 * 


Alternates seated for this meeting of the Council. 


2 We Ge De ee Philadelphia, Pa. 
Line CM aise 21) A). 31141 re a Philadelphia, Pa. 
Tibi 2 Teae SSL) eae ee Philadelphia, Pa. 
Cs Gi [oS Gl SD 5 Sag ee ee Philadelphia, Pa. 
2. Gy DSdiG 4 4) ene Philadelphia, Pa. 
eeile EPC PPD. 6 aici 5gc.. wee cvcc sce en's Philadelphia, Pa. 
Pav DLs CTS se er oe Chicago, Tl. 
Gwe AESIRERS OMWENS, oi... cc te eek eek acess Camden, N. J. 
ISidS lo VG00 Ped ]7 1 ls See aaa eee ee Harrisburg, Pa. 
DS. TEGY ie 1G O07) 8 2 Nes eS pe ee Rochester, N. Y. 
Coe AAS BUG Vor Se 2 2) ee Baltimore, Md. 
ier HEDGE PIES po. cok ces wc Seer we Philadelphia, Pa. 
13 AV GGT ee) eee ee Pittsburg, Pa. 
we. Wee Biri") 1) ie Aah a  eeree eae Germantown, Pa. 


ALi. SSioGUS 35 See Se Ce Seeman Philadelphia, Pa. 


Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 


PEATE Seo 1) Be ee ea Baltimore, Md. 
Were eo eRUSRDUTIIGS 5-26. Sec ec cence wee Roanoke, Va. 
LS. REG 2 ee ee a ae Mobile, Ala. 
Bishop E. R. Hendrix, D.D., LL.D., ......... Kansas City, Mo. 
Bishop E. E. Hoss, D.D., LL.D., ........... Nashville, Tenn. 
ANAC TIE $0 1S Ged Gy Aad) Raleigh, N. C. 
DS) ER CLE A eee Ft. Smith, Ark. 
Pres. J. H. Kirkland, LL.D., D. C. L., ....... Nashville, Tenn. 
S22) 0 Ee Se ee ee ee ee Abingdon, Va. 
[Ome 13 S012 G75 Se) ) Ol 9 Se Danville, Ky. 
Rub AGIOS ET SS Oe era Washington, D. C. 
eww Eo fayland 2026s ee eee cee weno ee Hollywood, Cal. 
pres We We mith, Bibs D., 22.5522 - see eee Lynehburg, Va. 
Pern WaenrIenh DD ee oon ow wees wwe cae St. Louis, Mo. 
Wire alirsls WANCAE SW syocc 2. onc ee te ces eww Louisville, Ky. 
Bishop A.. W. Wilson, D.D., LL.D., ......... Baltimore, Md. 
SEInne Ls An Gi eee eee Nashville, Tenn. 


African Methodist Episcopal Church. 


We Be AG Gis) 6A eee nicecrsns Pittsburg, Pa. 
Ve DesQigl 10 5) Se Se eee eee St. Louis, Mo. 
Eshop er bop Coppine OD. | oo. ci... st = Philadelphia, Pa. 
Bishop W. B. Derrick, D.D., LL.D., .......... Flushing, N. Y. 
Bishop W. J. Gaines, D.D., LL.D., ..........4 Atlanta, Ga. 

T. Wellington Henderson, D.D., ............ Boston, Mass. 
molrnetrarst, DBYS 4S. - Pl cn oe cicla 5 Bases Washington, D. C. 
Eipeete ec tenee Ens ODT ie. als oe eae tess Nashville, Tenn. 
amc. heyriolds PRD enc een wee Portsmouth, Va. 
Rey. 5 W. te Roundtree, .... 2.0.00. e. ee ese Trenton, N. J. 
SepAe  SSy LNG Ey Pye fe oe alec wes cece si Detroit, Mich. 


African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. 


Bishop George W. Clinton, D.D., .....-.-.... Charlotte, N. C. 
Bishop C. R. Harris, D.D., ......----------- Salisbury, N. C. 
Bishop Alexander Walters, D.D., ......- eoeee New York. 


Bishop Andrew Jackson Warner, D.D., ..-.-... Charlotte, N. C. 


536 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Methodist Protestant Church. 


Brayman *W. “Anthony, DADs aes heeeere Adrian, Mich. 

Mr. ds. J. Barres strike it Soe oer ere teeeeiee Atlanta, Ga. 

- Mo Ta. Jennings; se Dr mses ene eens Pittsburg, Pa. 

Mr. G,, BAMoores Supt ccc ooetrteie tiers aiete Pittsburg, Pa. 

As Ta Reynolds el sD), mire te cy- art telehel teren nel seas Bellbrook, O. 

Mr... W.) Ei ‘Sankey ornate & cic oeaerateren ec tetee arte a Pittsburg, Pa. 

©. -D./Sinkinsony eDAD Ee saa aan eee ee Atlantic City, N. J. 
Pres; DiS. Stephens! sD: D WD ae etactersee Kansas City, Kans. 
BT. “Wage Dae eae terse cree stele ete Baltimore, Md. . 
J. W.. Trout: DID ek ce ae vies cat cein ein eeetaes Philadelphia, Pa. 


Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America. 


Bishop Isaac Lane, D.D. 
Rey. G. T. Long. 
Rey. C. L. Knox. 
Primitive Methodist Church. 


Rev... J Oh Bait isnt erect fotencte ages ronrsea seers ote kenetene Reading, Pa. 
MIE iGEnieitchi DED) hoo bebe oblene ade Hold oc . New Bedford, Mass. 
Moravian Church. 
Rt. Rev. Morris W. eibert, D.D., . 3... 2... New York. 
Paul de: Schwemitzs aD z staat ore ietsrniiceetaterets Bethlehem, Pa. 
Rev. Arthur’ ‘De Mhaelerit. metoc scctreteravonier eas Bethlehem, Pa. 
Rev. Edward 8. Wolle, ....... offs Gaiety ware Philadelphia, Pa. 
Presbyterian Church in the U. 8. A. 
George-W....Bailey, Mi Dae een et ecbetneneaare Philadelphia, Pa. 
Mr,. Ha Bo Beard ps canteen tesa eens Lebanon, Tenn. 
Mir.” Nola Re Best, ccciscv vech geen neem teats Chicago, Il. 
Pres. William Henry Black, D.D., LL.D., ..... Marshall, Mo. 
Mies ohm EL Comverse, mete miter paeienetetery ete Philadelphia, Pa. 
William! J-q Darby; sDiD ye rere ie eine Evansville, Ind. 
John. “Bancroft. Devine se DS) see ei teneier eters New York. 
Charles Az Dickey, 3D) 5 slslis) eee cheer ctiatets Philadelphia, Pa. 
Charles “R= Erdman} = DID sec sen eee eee Princeton, N. J. 
BA. Elmore, DD) voci-sts says aes os eerie Chattanooga, Tenn.* 
Baxter P. Fullerton, D:D. ...22- 02. i... -- = not. UOUEeIvnos 
Mr oH. GC. Garaga .. secak sarees eee tote Philadelphia, Pa. 
Reuben Haines, Hartley.) sDi sce ase craconst Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Hdgar® P. Ell DAD Sn Vere asec teeeee Chicago, Ill. 
Elon? (William |) Mig iemnmsm ote pare eae Trenton, N. J. 
Ee Trumbull ees DoD ie aes oscil ital ies Wilkinsburg, Pa. 
Robert, Mackenzie, D:D. sj.) a. - -miat-)2 birt New York. 
Pres. William McKibbin, D.D., LL.D., ...... Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Pres. James D. Moffat, D:D., LL.D., ........ Washington, Pa. 
Samuel! J. Niccolls) (Debs leit area St. Louis, Mo. 
Win: Hi. Oxtoby; sD sD iia sacerente neat Philadelphia, Pa. 
George: Reynolds, DID aq-re sere er Kansas City, Mo. 
William Henry Roberts, D.D., LL.D., ........ Philadelphia, Pa. 
Mr:. owis’ He. Severance’ me cmmisrteaetece New York. 
Judge (George. Ho sShields ass. enee eee St. Louis, Mo. 
Mir) Thomas Wie os yal Oi be creed eae ane Philadelphia, Pa. 
Charles a; hompsouss DUDE. omens = eee ere New York, N. Y. 
Mr. Eidiwin 'S. Wells: roses tesco rere cera Lake Forest, Til. 


Ron. Robert N:) Wallsony<%..... 42-44 e sees Philadelphia, Pa. 


DELEGATES TO THF COUNCIL. 537 


Alternates seated for this meeting of the Council. 


John Mayhew Fulton, D.D., ...............- Philadelphia, Pa. 
NOSE ott bard: SDs... 6s. sc ee eee ee ced Auburn, N. Y. 
Pinshe Macauley. aPsDs oe Se oe ee Trenton, N. J. 
Pres. Geo. B. Stewart, D.D., LL.D., ......... 2 Auburn, N. Y. 


Presbyterian Church in C. S. 


Walhametiay Dobyns: DD... 2... 22. eee oe St. Joseph, Mo. 
James R. Howerton, D.D., LL.D., .......... Lexington, Va. 
Press bupene KR. Long, Ph.D., .........-...-- Batesville, Ark. 
doe Us LLG Es em 92D eee Atlanta, Ga. 

S. DL. luignais 3020) 29 Sane Eee ear Atlanta, Ga. 

Bishyure Ser DE) en eo oles 3 oe a tsi wie 2 slo Lexington, Ky. 
ThE TDS TEL [Sil Gir 124 ad 3 Berryville, Va. 


The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. 


Shen? Sy TYsG il) 1 Ee eerie’ Jersey City, N. J. 
ERED ONCE ly EID reins cis ge as o's os Elizabeth, N. J. 
George Martin Pepper, LL.D., D. C. L., ...... Philadelphia, Pa. 
Judge John H. Stoisenburg, ................ New Albany, Ind. 
Rt. Rey. Ethelbert Talbot, D.D., LL.D., ......South Bethlehem, Pa. 
Rt. Rev. Ozi W. Whitaker, D.D., LL.D., ...... Philadelphia, Pa. 


Reformed Church in America. 


IPayE LEA 12 Bid 311 AS Catskill, N. Y. 
Heyamverlbamn EH. BO0COCK, 5. ....52-.-0...-%6 Bayonne, N. J. 
Jul hw Thee DE 0 ee New York. 

TE. 121/22 Dl 0 SS Philadelphia, Pa. 
Piward Go Read) Dib ldo. se. ee cee eee es Plainfield, N. J. 
mes tee CHEHE TE JUDD) S ir cioiale: cis cic cis coe Sus sla e oe Passaic, N. J. 


Reformed Church in the United States. 


(Le: (0 BL ee SA ee ea '....Philadelphia, Pa. 
Wires ie Ne ELOUSCRECPEr. oon. 255 te ee wes oe wi Overlea, Md. 
eeanrlcrminaerter: DLP 2 sc. coi nee vee te oe Hagerstown, Md. 
Rey. Paul Seibert Leinbach, ................ Easton, Pa. 
Rrrnie VN e NITHEE SP. oe a ea oes Philadelphia, Pa. 
TUL icin nO Ee Oe ae SiGe ieeenencoaane Pittsburg, Pa. 
Geacee) Weenichards De. 2 ee ee Laneaster, Pa. 
Generale olin Hr eROler Se1.6 se fej. 2 Soe Harrisburg, Pa. 
mums AeCEDe, PhD; D-D.,9s.- sie diseln ess cies « Dayton, Ohio. 


Reformed Presbyterian Church. 


Lig? ME LCs el De a Philadelphia, Pa. 
TRS VV BCS Gy Pe oe Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rey. Clarence Andrew Young, ............... Philadelphia, Pa. 


Seventh Day Baptist Churches. 


Eeseb p@se bP avis) SDD. Gl Dig scl sc i. bee ec L Alfred, N. Y. 
PERRIER Urn EARNS POO eo ois 2 oe e nail ieiao cit Alfred, N. Y. 
Ta Te a) 01D Pe eee ease Milton, Wis. 


538 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Society of Friends. 


Pres. Robert Lincoln Kelly, Ph.D., LL.D., ..... Richmond, Ind. 

Sylvester Newlin Mie Diss. amare Noblesville, Ind. 
_ Mr. Charles Edwin Tebbetts, ............... Richmond, Ind. 

Mr, James; Wood, sucks one mec oe eet Mt. Kisco, N. Y. 


Alternate delegates seated for this meeting of the Council. 


Prot. Georces Ars b anion, slob) yy eetter-tstet letenststats Bryn Mawr, Pa. 
Pres.. isaac Shap] essiieatie «stitial Haverford, Pa. 


Church of the United Brethren in Christ. 


Rev. -S.. Bownaamiiege, joetetebalsteiaceist eel enna ee Princeton, N. J. 
Pres. Lewis Bookwalter, D.D., LL.D., ........ Westerville, Ohio. 
Rev. Warren Kanfimiams 2 ere ete tetcp etch) oietatoeietreie Philadelphia, Pa. 
Prof.J.) P= Wands, DsDS Enis yen ata eee Dayton, Ohio. 
BishoprG: Mes Matihews; (OSD sy tse- ee teen Chicago, Il. 
Bishop Jess Mins Ds sila Dor ieee aioe Wa Annville, Pa. 

Rev. dics Te Sebartter 9 ty herent scan ee eyeue epee Philadelphia, Pa. 
Win. Hi. Washingern: (Di Soe pastetors cetera Chambersburg, Pa. 
Revs Aw Ka, \Weut), reav--aya nix cetne Aeneas seen acted ae Shamokin, Pa. 


United Evangelical Church. 


Rey. Rudolph Dabs; DA) Wile ete retevetene rts Harrisburg, Pa. 
Rev. W. H. Fouke, ... Ae etn .. Harrisburg, Pa. 
Bishop H. B. Hartzler, D. De, AERA ols 36 Harrisburg, Pa, 
NV ESI Suenmiorel, ILD sg cacnicgsoetoncgccdsce Harrisburg, Pa. 
U. F. Swengel, Dene 369 oat AAR eG DCS & Lewistown, Pa. 


United Presbyterian Church of North America. 


Reve Hrank- | Geuuys tenctsse ra sterekote terse cnet tseerene Philadelphia, Pa. 
SEnemUCH den Ayn PIDEID I weak sheer paoodeusocus Richmond, Ind. 
R. W. MeGranahan, iy TLD): Wrangler sca snckateh, chemseratee Knoxville, Tenn. 
J.C. Scoullers. DDR erases ee teens Philadelphia, Pa. 
T. B. Turnbull, D.D., she SU Deas Benoa orenaan Philadelphia, Pa. 


Welsh Presbyterian Church. 


IM Ped ahitedny OMe Cnubitii, oo bkooeeceooceroace Bangor, Pa. 
Rev. John, Hammond yee seit eet tere iets Seranton, Pa. 
INGA Molen Me IGM Goadeannesoucaconooc Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 


Reformed Episcopal Church. 


WAL Preemantle: DSi pies seein rerars Philadelphia, Pa. 
Robert, Ge lkidolpp hse) 3) i wegen tte opate ier tetatete Philadelphia, Pa. 
Walliams. Gracy, DED) tee srs icici tier tions Philadelphia, xa. 
Joseph D> Wilsons se erie otters Philadelphia, Pa. 


Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod. 


Gs Nelseniug)) DAD ie apctaerte enette neraaetetate Brooklyn, N. Y. 
ING Ae aes Italy EME IDR Goa cokcoweagsse New York. 
Reve. Ca oSlae tits: wetstserve.etereeienreeeett mee teleieee Brooklyn, N. Y. 


Maunitz: Stolpey Ds) ei rictcctaetaecbe tata New York. 


COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 539 


COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS 


Committee of Arrangements 


Appointed. by the Inter-Church Conference held in New York 
November 15-20, 1905. 


Chairman 
THE REV. WILLIAM H. ROBERTS, D.D., LL.D. 


Vice-Chairman 
THE REV. FRANK MASON NORTH, D.D. 


Secretary 
THE REV. E. B. SANFORD, D.D. 


Assistant Secretary 
THE REV. O. F. GARDNER. 


Treasurer 
MR. ALFRED R. KIMBALL. 


CHAIRMAN OF SUB-COMMITTEES 


; Program 


THE REV. WILLIAM HAYES WARD, D.D., LL.D. 


Press 
THE REV. JOHN BANCROFT DEVINS, D.D. 


Week-Day Religious Instruction for School Children 
THE REV. GEORGE U. WENNER, D.D. 


Interdenominational Relations 
THE REV. AME VENNEMA, D.D. 


Co-operation in Foreign Missions 
SEELE REV: JAMES L. BARTON, D.D. 


State Federations 
eEnB ee VenOss PaG lh ORD: pp: 


540 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Local Federations 
THE REV. E. P. RYLAND 


Organization and Development 
THE REV. BISHOP E. R. HENDRIX DAD a eae: 


Maintenance 
MR. ALFRED R. KIMBALL 


The Church and the Immigrant Problem 
THE REV. OZORA S. DAVIS; DD: 


The Church and Modern Industry 
THE REV. FRANK MASON NORTH, D.D. 


Co-operation in Home Missions 
THE REV. EDGAR PL HE Dae 


Temperance 
THE REV. BISHOP LUTHER B. WILSON, D:D} ELD: 


Sunday Observance 
THE REV. FF. D.cPOWER Da: 


Family Life 
THE RT. REV. W. C. DOANE, D.'D. ELD: 


Religious Instruction in Higher Institutions 
THE REV. D. S. SLEPHENS; -DiDie aie 


Sunday-School Instruction 
MR. WILLIAM N. HARTSHORN 


International Relations 
HENRY WADE ROGERS, LL.D. 


Office of the Executive Committee of the. 
Federal Council 


81 Bible House, New York 


COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 5400 


To THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE 
CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN AMERICA: 


Dear Brethren:—The Philadelphia Committee of Arrangements, 
whose appointment was authorized by you to make appropriate prepara- 
tions for the holding of the Federal Council in the.City of Philadelphia, 
Pa., December 2d to 8th, 1908, presents to you the following concise 
report of its work : 

The Committee as constituted was representative of all the Evangeli- 
cal denominations of the city, twenty-seven in number. The list of 
them is given on page 541. 

The Committee held many meetings, and acted through sub-commit- 
tees, whose names, along with the members of each Committee, appear 
in this volume, immediately following this report. 

The ministers and members of the Churches of Philadelphia were most 
generous in their hospitality and in their contributions. They did all 
that could have been expected to make the Council a success. The 
thanks of the Council itself, as tendered to both the Committee and 
the community, are the best proofs of the accuracy of these statements. 
[See p. 146.] 

The Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work 
placed Witherspoon Hall at the disposal of the Committee for the meet- 
ings of the Federal Council, and also ten rooms, for the use of Commit- 
tees of the Council, in the Witherspoon Building. For this no charge 
was made, and this generous action of the Board largely reduced the 
expenses of the Council. 

It is not felt to be necessary to go into the statement in detail of the 
financial side of the work. It is sufficient to state that the receipts 
amounted to about $7,300, that all bills were paid, and that a balance in 
hand of about $1.000 has been ordered to be used in distributing the 
volume of the Proceedings of the Council to contributors, to members of 
the Committee of Arrangements, and to other persons. 

The following resolutions were adopted by the Committee at its last 
meeting : 

1. That the thanks of the Committee are specially tendered to Mr. 
John Gribbel, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and to the other 
members of said Committee, for the splendid service rendered by them 
in connection with the financial part of the affairs of the Council. 

2. That the thanks of the Committee be also tendered to Mr. H. C. 
Lincoln, and to the Chorus which he organized, that added greatly by 
the singing to the character of the welcome accorded to the Federal 
Council, at the Academy of Music, on the evening of December 2d. 


540b FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


3. That thanks are hereby tendered to all persons who have in any 
manner contributed to the success of the Federal Council. 

In closing this Report we render thanks to Almighty God for the suc- 
cess of the Federal Council, and for the fellowship which we have 
enjoyed with the representatives of the Churches. 


In behalf of the Committee, 


Wma. H. Rozserts, Chairman 
; L. B. Harsr, Secretary. 
PHILADELPHIA, PA., December, 1908. 


[See for the action of the Federal Council, pp. 8 and 146, and for the 
first Report of the Committee, p. 3.] 


-_——- - ~~ 


COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 


541 


Philadelphia Committee of Arrangements 
Chairman—Rev. W. H. Roberts, D.D. 


Secretary—Rev. L. B. 


Hafer. 


Chairmen of Sub-Committees. 


Finance—Mr, John Gribbel, 
Reception—Rt. Rev. Alexander 
Hospitality—Rev. C. A. 


1513 Race Street. 


Mackay-Smith, D.D., 


Pulpit Supply—Rev. J. Henry Haslam, D.D., 1513 N. 


Music—Mr. 


H. C. Lincoln, 1820 N. 


23rd Street. 


] n 12th and Walnut Streets. 
R. Janvier, 1409 S. Broad Street. 


roth Street. 


Press—Rev. R. W. Miller, D.D., 15th and Race Streets. 
Halls and Meetings—W. H. Oxtoby, D.D., 3700 Chestnut Street. 


The following Churches, 


with Congregations in the City of Philadelphia, are 


Represented on the Committee: 


Baptist Churches (North) 


National Baptist Convention (African) 


Christian Connection 
Congregational Churches 
Church of the Brethren 
Church of the Disciples 
Evangelical Association 
Evangelical German Synod 
Friends, Society of 
Lutheran Church, Evangelical 
Mennonite Church 
Methodist, Congregational 
Methodist Episcopal Church 


Methodist Protestant Church 


Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (African) 


Moravian Church 
Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. 
Protestant Episcopal Church 
Reformed Church in America 
Reformed Church in the U. S. 
Reformed Episcopal Church 
Reformed Presbyterian Church 
United Brethren 

United Evangelical Church 
United Presbyterian Church 
Welsh Presbyterian Church 


Methodist Episcopal Church (African) 


Executive Committee 


Rev. WittiAmM H. Ropserts, 
L. B. Harer, Secretary 


REv. 
Rev. L. G. Batman Rey. 
Rev. S. L. Baugher Rev. 
Rev. Frank a Rev. 


Rev. Bishop J. S. Caldwell, Rev. 
D.D Rev 


Rev. E. H. Delk, D.D. 
Rev. James B. 
Rev. William A. Freeman- Rev. 


tle, D.D. Rey. 
B. Grubb, D.D. Rev. 


Rev. N. 
Prof. Rufus M. Jones 


i v. Geo. E. 
Rev. Bishop L. J. Coppin, Rev. 
D.D. D 


Rev. John B. Davies, D.D. Rev. 
Si 
Ely, D.D. Rev. 


Wayland Hoyt, D.D. 
J. Warren Kaufmann 
Charles L. Kloss, D.D. 
P. H. Milliken, Ph.D. 
Rees, D.D. 

Howard Wayne Smith 


Floyd W. Tomkins, 
AN D) 


i W.. Srout,. “D:D: 
I. B. Turnbull, D.D. 
S. M. Vernon, D.D. 
EK. F. Wiest 


D.D., Chairman 


. Edward S. Wolle 
Rev. E. S. Woodring 
Rey. Clarence A. Young 
Dr. George W. Bailey 
Mr. Martin G. Brumbaugh 
Mr. John H. Converse 
Mr. Morris Earle 

Mr. S. K. Felton 

Mr. Charles H. Harding 
Mr. Philip E. Howard 
Mr. John E. Jones 
Mr. E. Augustus Miller 
Hon. Ernest L. Tustin 


In addition to the Chairmen of the Sub-Committées. 


Finance Committee 


Mr. Joun GrisseL, Chairman 


Hon. George F. Baer Mr. 
Dr. George W. Bailey Mr. 


Mr. John FE. Baird Mr. 
Mr. Joseph B. Bechtel Mr. 
Mr. E. H. Bonsall Mr. 
Mr. Thomas Bradley Mr. 


Mr. John H. Converse Mr. 
Mr. Louis Eysenbach, Jr. Mr. 
Mr. ecoee H. Grone Mr. 


Mr. W. J. Gruhler Mr. 
Mr. Charles H. Harding Mr. 
Mr. F. W. Hoyt Mi 


Alba B. Johnson 
Samuel T. Kerr 
Mahlon H. Kline 

E. Augustus Miller 
Harvey C. Miller 
Theodore F. Miller 
Arthur E. Newbold 
William R. Nicholson 
Harry E. Paisley 
Frank Pearson 
Harold Peirce 


Everett H. Plummer Mr. 


~ Gen. Lours Wacner, Treasurer 


Mr. J. Henry Scattergood 
Mr. F. O. Shane 

Mr. L. O. Smith 

Mr. S. C. Snoke 

Mr. Frank Stahl 

Mr. Thomas W. Synnott 
Hon. Ernest L. Tustin 
Mr. S. B. Vrooman 
Mr. Charles Walton 
Hon. John Wanamaker 
Mr. Asa S. Wing 
John C. Winston 


542 


Rr. Rev. 


Reception Committee 


Chairman 


FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


ALEXANDER Mackay-SmitH, D.D., Bishop Coadjutor of Pennsylvania. 


Rev. E. H. Detx, D.D., Vice Chairman 


Rey. G. 
Rev. M. re Brownson, D.D. 
Reva Bickley Burns, 


Rev. Bishop J. S. Caldwell, 
D.D 


Rev. Russell H. Conwell, 


Rev. F.. Egger 


D. 
Rev. Bishop L. J. Coppin, Hes ua 
D.D t. Rev. Me W. Whitaker, Mr. Henry W. Lambirth 


Bickley, D.D. Rev. William Dayton Rob- Bee een H. Edmonds 


erts, Felton 
Rev. Thomas S. Samson, Mr. Cyrus D. Foss, Jr. 
D. Mr. L. G. Fouse 
Rey. if C. Scouller, D.D. Mr. George G. Geikler 
Pres. eee Sharpless, Mr. John R. Hathaway 
LL.D Mr. James A. Hayes 
Rev. J. babes D:D: Mr. pe E. Howard 
Vernon, D.D. Mr. Ray Hudson 


Bat D., Bishop of Pennsyl- 


Mee George W. Pepper 


Bishop C. D. Foss, D.D. vania E. Santee 
Rev. William A. Freeman- Rev. H. F. Williams Mr. ie M. Snyder 

tle Bishop L. B. Wilson, D.D. Hon. W. H. Staake 
Rev. William H. Gailey Rey. E. S. Woodring Mr. W. C. Stoever 
Rey. N. B. Grubb, D.D. Rev. R. C. Zartmann, D.D. Mr. T. B. Stork 
Rev. I. Chantry Hoffman Mr. William M. Anderson Hon. John Wanamaker 
Rev. Wayland Hoyt, D.D. Mr. George I. Bodine W. West, M. D. 
Rev. W. B. Jennings, D.D. Mr. H. S. Boner Mr. ED: Wilkinson 
Rev. H. W. Myers Mr. Clarkson Clothier Mr. John R. Young 

Mr. Morris Earle 
Hospitality Committee 
Rev. C. A. R. Janvier, Chairman 

Rev. L. G. Batman Rev. 2 M. S. gt er Rev. H. F. Williams 
Rev. Frank Beuscher Rev. W. Izer, D.D. Rev. Edward S. Wolle 
Rev. G. H. Bickley, D.D. Rev. I Warren Kaufmann Rev. E. S. Woodring 
Rev. G. L. Blackwell, D.D. Rev. C. L. Kloss, D.D. Rey. Clarcaee A. Young 
Rev. J. Gray Bolton, D.D. Rev. J. H. Longhorst Mr. John E. Baird 
Rev. L. N. Caley, D.D. Rev. F. B. Lynch Mr. Richard B. Brinton 
Rev. James Crawford, D.D. Rev. N. R. Melhorn Mr. George R. mp 
Rev. William A, Credirt, D.I Rev. P. H. Milliken, D.D. Mr. Henry G. Deininger 
Rev. Stephen W. Dana, Rev. R. C. Montgomery, Mr. Thomas M. Eynon 

D.D. D.D. Mr. L. G. Fouse 
Rev. H. L. Duhring, D.D. Rev. W. G. Parks, D.D. Mr. Alfred C. Garrett 
Rev. George H. Ferris, Rev. Elmer W. Powell, S. Mr. Avery D. Harrington 

D.D. Ds ~ Mr. Henry M. Housekeeper 
Rev. William P. Fulton, Rev. Geo. E. Rees, D.D. Rev. F. D. oes 

D.D. Rev. J. Baker Steward Mr. John E. James 
Rev. N. B. Grubb, D.D. Rev. R. M. Sweigart Mr. H. F. Kealing 
Rey. L. B. Hafer Rev. F. W. Tomkins, D.D. Mr. R. N. Myers 
Rev. J. H. Haslam, D.D. Rev. ee Tracy, D.D. Mr. Christian Stout 
Rev. Robert Hunter, D.D. Rev. J. W. Trout, D.D. A. F. Ziegenfus, M. D. 

Rev. YB . Turnbull, D.D. 
Pulpit Supply Committee 
Rev. Henry Hastam, D.D., Chairman. 
Rev. H. C. Alleman, D.D. Rev. J. M. T. Childrey Rev. John B. Gough Pidge 
Rev. C. B. Alspach Rev. KE. Y. TWill,,D.D. Rev. F. Lu ‘Tomkins, D D. 
Rev. J. Gray Bolton, D.D. Rev. A. .+. Kynett, D.D. Rev. E. F. Wiest 
; Rev. J. é “Wilson, D.D. 
Music Committee 
Mr. H. C. Lincoin, Chairman 

Mr. J. Lincoln Hall Mr. Ralph E. Mitchell Mr. F. Wiest 
Mr. Harry Hodges Mr. David Rombold 


Press Committee 
Rev. R. W. Mitier, D.D., Chairman 


Rev. C. R. Blackall, D.D: Rev. Geenke H. Lorah, ae Cyrus D. Foss, Jr. 
Rev. E. A Hibshman D. ee Walter Haviland 
Rey. J. M. Hubbert, D.D. Mr. A.D Chiquaine Mr. Herman Newman 


Mr, William ‘1’. Ellis Mr. Allan Sutherland 


aS 


COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 543 


Committee on Halls and Meetings 
Rev. W. H. Oxtosy, D.D., Chairman 


Mr. R. B. Adams Rev. R. W. Miller, D.D. Mr. Henry Howson 
Rev. Albert Applegarth Rey. William H. Pheley Mr. Joseph H. Jefferis 
Rev. J. G. Bickerton, D.D. Rev. A. Pohlman, M. D. Mr. Robert Killough 


Rey. Walter Calley, D.D. Rev. B. S. Stern Mr. H. D. Reeve 

Rev. W. H. Giebel Rey. W. L. Stough Mr. F. F. Spellissy 

Rev. George Gunnell Dr. George W. Bailey Mr. W. C. Stoever 

Rev. Alexander Henry, Mr. Barton F. Blake Mr. Allan Sutherland 
D.D. Mr. E. H. Bonsall Mr. George W. Waidner 

Prof. Rufus M. Jones Mr. J. Clifton Buck Mr. John Walton 


Rev. T. W. McKinney Mr. Franklin S. Edmonds Mr. Walter N. Wood 


program 


WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER SECOND 


Opening Session of Welcome 
Academy of Music 


7A ePL EN. 


The Rev. William Henry Roberts, D.D., LU.D., Philadelphia 
Permanent Chairman of the Inter-Church Conference of 1905 
Presiding. 


Anthem— a 
“Oh, Lord, How Manifold Are Thy Works,” Barnby. 
By the Choir, Mr. H. C. Lincoln, Director. 


Invocation— 
The Rev. Floyd W. Tomkins, D.D., Rector of Holy Trinity 
Episcopal Church. 


Hymn— 
“All Hail the Power of Jesus Name.” 
The Rey. H. P. Milliken. D.D., Pastor First Reformed Church. 


Reading of the Scripture— . 
Professor Rufus M. Jones, Haverford College. 


Prayer— pe 
The Rev. S. M. Vernon, D.D., Pastor West York Street Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. 


Address by the President. 


Anthem— " 
“Te Deum,” Stephens. By the Choir. 


Addresses of Welcome— 
The Rev. George E. Rees, D.D., Pastor of the Tabernacle 
Baptist Church. 
The Rev. Stephen W. Dana, D.D., Pastor Walnut Street Pres- 
byterian Church. 


Responses to the Welcome— j : 
The Rev. Wallace MacMullen, D.D., Pastor Madison Avenue 
Methodist Episcopal Church, Manhattan, New York. 
The Rev. A. J. Lyman, D.D., Pastor South Congregational 
Church, Brooklyn, New York. 


544 


PROGRAM OF THE COUNCIL. 545 


Resolutions and Announcement of Committees. 


Hymn— 
“Onward, Christian Soldiers.” 
The Rev. L. G. Batman, Pastor Church of the Disciples. 


Prayer. 


The Rev. E. H. Delk, D.D., Pastor of St. Matthew’s Evangelical 
Lutheran Church. 


Doxology. 
Benediction— 
Rev. Edward S. Wolle, Pastor First Moravian Church. 


THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER THIRD 
Witherspoon Hall 
The Rev. Rockwell H. Potter, D.D., Pastor of the First Church of 
Christ (Congregational), Hartford, Conn., Presiding. 
9 30 Devotional Service. 


Hymn. 
‘Reading of the Scriptures. 
The Rey. George S. Bennett, D.D., Rector of Grace Prot- 
estant Episcopal Church, Jersey City, N. J. 
Prayer. 
The Rev. William V. Kelley, D.D., L.H.D, New York, 
Editor of “The Methodist Review.” 


10 00 Calling of Roll and Report of Committee on Credentials. 
10 30 Report of the Local Committee of Arrangements. 


10 45 Reports of Executive Committee having charge of work and 
arrangements under direction of the Inter-Church Confer- 
ence of 1905. 
The Rev. William Henry Roberts, D.D., LL.D., Chairman. 
The Rey. E. B. Sanford, D.D.. Corresponding Secretary. 
Mr. Alfred R. Kimball, Treasurer. 


12 00 Reports of Other Committees. 


12 30 Adjournment. 


THURSDAY AFTERNOON 
Witherspoon Hall 
Presidents of the Council,Acting and Elected—Presiding. 
2 30 Devotional Service. : 
Prayer. a 


The Rev. W. B. Derrick, D.D., LL.D., Flushing N. Y., 
Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, 


546 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


2 40 Election of Officers. 


3 00 Induction of President. 
Address by the Acting President. 
Response by the President Elect. 


3 20 “Relation of the Federal Council to Interdenominational 
Organizations.” 


Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 

The Rev. Ame Vennema, D.D., (Chairman), Passaic, N. J., 
former President of the General Synod of the Reformed 
Church in America. 


3 30 Discussion. 


4 10 “Co-operation in Foreign Missions.” 
Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
The Rev. James L. Barton, D.D., Boston, (Chairman), 
Corresponding Secretary of the American Board of 
Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 
4 20 Discussion. 


5 00 Adjournment. 


THURSDAY EVENING 


Simultaneous Popular Meetings on 
“Christian Unity at Home and Abroad.” 


Witherspoon Hall Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 
First Baptist Church Arch Street Methodist Church 


Witherspoon Hall Meeting 
TAC 


Bishop E. R. Hendrix, D.D., LL.D., President of the Federal 
Council, Presiding. 


Musical Service. 


Devotional Service. 
Hymn. 
Reading of the Scriptures. 
The Rev. John H. Prugh, D.D., Pittsburgh, Pa., former 
President of the General Synod of the Reformed Church 


_2é_the United States. 


The Rt. Rev. Morris W. Leibert, D.D., NewYork, Bishop 
of the Moravian Church. 


PROGRAM OF THE COUNCIL. 


Addresses— 

“Christian Unity as Illustrated on the Foreign Field.” 

The Rev. Arthur S. Lloyd, D.D., New York, General Sec- 
retary of the Domestic and Foreign~Missionary Society 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 

Mr. Robert E. Speer, New York, Secretary of the Board of ° 
Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. 


FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER FOURTH 
Witherspoon Hall 


The Rev. Baxter P. Fullerton, D.D., St. Louis, Mo., Moderator of 
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church 
U.S. A., Presiding. 


9 30 Devotional Service. 


Reading of the Scriptures. 
The Rev. Henry A. Buttz, D.D., LL.D., Madison N. J., 
President of Drew Theological Seminary. 


Prayer. 
The Rev. R. Dubs, D.D., LL.D., Harrisburg, Pa., Bishop 
of the United Evangelical Church. 


10 10 “The Work of State Federations.” 

Paper prepared by the Rev. E. T. Root, Providence, R. I. 
Secretary of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Fed- 
eration of Churches. 

Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 

The Rev. Alfred Williams Anthony, D.D., Lewiston, Me., 

Professor in Cobb Divinity School and Secretary of the 
Maine Interdenominational Commission. 


10 20 Discussion. 


10 40 “Organization and Development.” 
Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
The Rev. EF. R. Hendrix, D.D., LL.D., Kansas City, Mo., 
Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 
10 50 Discussion. . 


Ir 30 “Maintenance.” 
Report presented and discussion opened by Mr. Alfred R. 
Kimball, New York. 


12 30 Adjournment. 


548 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


FRIDAY AFTERNOON 


Witherspoon Hall 


The Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, D.D., LL.D., South Bethlehem, Pa., 
Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Diocese of 
Central Pennsylvania, Presiding. 
2 30 Devotional Service. 
Prayer. 
The Rey. George Elliott, D.D., Chicago. 
2 40 Business. 


2 50 “Co-operation in Home Mission Work.” 
Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
The Rev. Edgar P. Hill, D.D., Chicago, Professor of 
Homiletics and Applied Christianity, McCormick Theo- 
logical Seminary, and also Superintendent Church Ex- 
tension Committee Presbytery of Chicago. 


3 00 Discussion. 


3.45 “The Church and Modern Industry.” 
Paper prepared and discussion opened by 
The Rev. Frank Mason North, D.D., New York, Secretary 
of the National City Evangelization Union of Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 


3.55 Discussion. 


5 00 Adjournment. 


FRIDAY EVENING 


Simultaneous Popular Meetings on “United Home Mission and 
Evangelistic Work.” 


Witherspoon Hall Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 


Witherspoon Hall Meeting. 
7:45 P.M. 
Harry Pratt Judson, LL.D., Chicago, President of the Uni- 
versity of Chicago, Presiding. 
Musical Service. 


Reading of the Scriptures. 
The Rev. Adolph Schmidt, Ph.D., Pastor Zion Evangelical 
Church, Brooklyn, New York. 
Prayer. 2 
The Rev. Samuel J. Niccolls, D:D., LL.D.,Pastor Second 
Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, Mo. 


PROGRAM OF THE COUNCIL. 549 


Addresses— 
The Rey. Charles L. Goodell, D.D., Pastor of Calvary Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, New York. 


The Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman, D.D., Executive Secretary of 
General Assembly’s Committee on Evangelistic Work 
of the Presbyterian Church. 


SATURDAY MORNING, DECEMBER FIFTH 


The Rev. J. S. Kieffer, D.D., Hagerstown, Md., President of 
the General Synod of the Reformed Church in the 
United States, Presiding. 


9 30 Devotional Service. 
Hymn. | 
Reading of the Scriptures. 
The Rev. A. S. Shelley, Pastor Mennonite Church, Bally, 
izaz 
Prayer. 


The Rev. Alexander Walters, D.D., LL.D., New York, 
Bishop African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. 


9 50 Business. 


10 00 “Sunday-School Instruction.” 
Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
Mr. William N. Hartshorn, (Chairman), Boston, Chair- 
man of the Executive Committee of the International 
Sunday-School Association. 


10 10 Discussion. 


to 45 “The Church and the Immigrant Problem.” 

Paper prepared by the Rev. Ozora S. Davis, D.D., Pastor 
of the South .Congregational Church, New Britain, 
Conn. 


Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
The Rev. Rockwell H. Potter, D.D., Pastor of the First 
Church of Christ (Congregational), Hrartford, Conn. 


10 55 Discussion. 


12 30 Adjournment. 


SATURDAY AFTERNOON 


Meetings of Committees. 


550 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


SATURDAY EVENING 
Witherspoon Hall 
7 AG ee ees 


Popular Meeting in the Interest of Young People’s Organizations. 
Franklin Spencer Edmonds, Esq., of Philadelphia, Presiding. 


Song Service—Chorus of 100 Voices. 


Addresses— 
Mr. W). N. Hartshorn, Chairman of the Executive Commit- 
tee of the International Sunday-school Association. 


The Rev. George Elliott, D.D., Field Secretary of the 
Board of Home Missions of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, Chicago. 


The Rev. Paul S. Leinbach, General Secretary of the Board 
of Home Missions of the Reformed Church, Easton, Pa. 


The Rev. Charles R. Erdman, Professor of Practical The- 
ology in the Princeton Theological Seminary. 


SUNDAY, DECEMBER SIXTH 


National Observance of the Day in the Interest of Christian Unity. 
The Executive Committee of the Federal Council issued a call 
to the Churches of Denominations Affiliated, asking 
that the Day be observed in the Interest 
of “Christian Unity.” 


SUNDAY MORNING 


Delegates to the Council preached in the Churches of Philadel- 
phia, Camden and their Suburbs. 


SUNDAY AFTERNOON 
Lyric Theatre 


2045 ME 
Interdenominational Meeting in the Interest of Church and Labor. 
Mr. Dennis A. Hayes, President of the Glass Bottle Blowers’ 
Association of the United States and Canada, Presiding. 


Addresses— 


Bishop E. R. Hendrix, D.D., LL.D., President of the Council. 

The Rev. Charles Stelzle, of New York, Secretary of the 
Department of Church and Labor of the Presbyterian 
Church Ges Ae 


PROGRAM OF THE COUNCIL. 551 


Witherspoon Hall 
4:00 P. M. 


Interdenominational Brotherhood Meeting. 
The Rt. Rev. O. W. Whitaker, D.D., Bishop of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church, Presiding. 
Addresses— 


=: The Rev. William Henry Roberts, D.D., LL.D., Stated 
Clerk General Assembly Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. 
Mr. Nolan R. Best, Editor of “The Interior,” Chicago. 


SUNDAY EVENING 


Delegates to the Council preached in the Churches of Philadel- 
phia, Camden and their Suburbs. 


MONDAY MORNING, DECEMBER SEVENTH 
_ Witherspoon Hall 


The Rey. J. R. Howerton, D.D., Lexington, Va., former Moderator 
of the Presbyterian Church, U. S., Presiding. 


9 30 Devotional Service. 
Hymn. 
Reading of the Scripture. 
9 50 Business. 


Io 20 Discussion. 


Io 40 “Sunday Observance.” 
- Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
The Rev. F. D. Power, D.D., Washington, D. C., Pastor 
of the First Church of Christ (Disciples). 


Io 50 Discussion. 


II 20 - “Temperance.” 
Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
The Rev. Luther B. Wilson, D.D., LL.D., Philadelphia, 
Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 


Ir 30 Discussion. 


1200 “The Work of Local Federations.” 
Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
The Rev. E. P. Ryland; President of the Church Federa- 
tion of Los Angeles, Cal. 


I2 10 Discussion. 


12 30 Adjournment. 


552 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 
MONDAY AFTERNOON 


The Rev. S. C. Breyfogel, D.D., Reading, Pa., Bishop Evangelical 
Association, Presiding. 


2 30 Devotional Service. 
Prayer. 
The Rev. Henry Spellmeyer, D.D., LL.D., St. Louis, Mo., 
Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
2 40 ‘“Week-Day Religious Instruction for School Children.” 
Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
The Rev. G, U.. Wenner, D.D., New York, (Chairman), 
former President of the Synod of New York of the 
Lutheran Evangelical: Church, and Pastor of Christ 
Church, New York. 


2 50 Discussion. 
3 30 “Religious Instruction in Higher Institutions.” 
Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
The Rey. D. S. Stephens, D.D., LL.D., (Chairman), Chan- 
cellor of the Kansas City University, Kansas City, Kan., 
and former President of the Methodist Episcopal Prot- 
estant General Conference. : 
.3 40 Discussion. 
4 10 Local Federations. 
Discussion continued. 


5 00 Adjournment. 


MONDAY EVENING 
Academy of Music 
8:00 P. M. 


Reception to the Delegates by the Church Unions of Philadelphia. 
Rt. Rev. Alexander Mackay-Smith, D.D., Coadjutor-Bishop 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Diocese of Phila- 
delphia, Presiding. 
Addresses— 
The Rev. C. F. Aked, D.D., Pastor Fifth Avenue Baptist 
Church, New York. 
The Rev. A. E. Dunning, D.D., Editor “The Congregation- 
alist,’ Boston. | 
The Rey. E. H. Delk, D.D., Vice Chairman of the Recep- 
tion Committee, Philadelphia. 
Bishop E. R. Hendrix, President of the Council. 


9 30 


10 50 


II 30 


II 40 
I2 00 
12 30 


12 45 


PROGRAM OF THE COUNCIL. 553 
TUESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER EIGHTH 


Devotional Service. 
Hymn. 
Reading of the Scripture. 
The Rev. Thomas M. Bateman, D.D., Pastor Primitive 
Methodist Church, New Bedford, Mass. 
Prayer. 
Robert L. Kelly, Richmond, Ind., President Earlham 
College (Society of Friends). 


Business. 


“Week-day Religious Instruction for School Children.” 
“International Relations.” 
Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
Henry Wade Rogers, LL.D., (Chairman), Dean of Law 
Department Yale University, New Haven, Conn. 


Discussion. 
“Family Life.” 


_ Paper prepared by the Rt. Rev. W. C. Doane, D.D., LL. 


D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Diocese 
of Albany, N. Y. 
Resolutions presented and discussion opened by 
The Rev. Samuel A. John, Pastor German Evangelical 
Church, Ann Arbor, Mich. 


Discussion. 
Unfinished: Business. 
Closing Address. 


Adjourrnment. 


554 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIS’. 


ROLL OF DELEGATES 


Appointments By the Constituent Bodies of the Council. 


Italics denote the names of delegates who were unable to attend the 
Conference. 


BAPTIST CHURCHES (North). 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion taken by the Northern Bap- 
tist Convention at its meeting in 
Oklahoma City, Okla., May, 1908: 


The Rey. Charles F, Aked, D.D., 
Pastor, Fifth Avenue Baptist 


Church, 
New York, N. Y. 


The Rev. H. W. Barnes, D.D., 


Associate Secretary, Baptist Mis- 
sionary Convention of the State 
of New York, 

Binghampton, N. Y. 


The Rev. L. Call Barnes, D.D., 
Field Secretary, American Bap- 
tist Home Missionary Society, 

New York, N. Y. 

The Rey. S. Z. Batten, 

Pastor, 
Lincoln, Neb. 

The Rev. W. C. Bitting, D.D., 
Second Baptist Church, 

St. Louis, Mo. 


The Rey. Geo. EH. Burlingame, 
D.D., 
Pastor, 
San Francisco, Cal. 
The Rey. R. G. Boyille, 


Secretary, National Vacation 
Bible School Committee, 
New York, N. Y. 


The Rev. John B. Caluert, D.D., 


Editor, The Hxaminer, 
New York, N. Y,. 


The Rev. C. D. Case, D.D., 
Pastor Delaware Ave. Baptist 


Church, 
Buffalo, N. Y. 


The Rev. Cassius M. Carter, D.D., 
Pastor, First Baptist Church, 
Muncie, Ind. 


The Rev. Walter Colley, D.D., . 
Pastor, Upland Baptist Church, 
Upland, Pa. 


The Rey. Judson Conklin, 
Pastor, Clinton Avenue Baptist 


Church, 
Trenton, N. J. 


The Rev. George Cooper, D.D., 
Pastor Baptist Church, 
Jenkintown, Philadelphia, Pa. 


Mr. J. S. Dickerson, 
Editor. of “The Standard,” 
Chicago, Ill. 
Mr. Samuel A. Crozer, 
Upland, Pa. 


The Rev. George L. Davis, D.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
The Rev. Charles Hastings Dodd, 
D.D., 


Pastor 
Church, 


Eutaw Place Baptist 


_ Baltimore, Md. 


The Rev. S. H. Greene, D.D., 


Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, 
Washington, D. C. 


The Rev. O. P. Haches, D.D., 


Pastor, Baptist Church, 
Hightstown, N. J. 


The Rev. W. H. P. Faunce, D.D., 
LL.D., 
President of Brown University, 
Providence, R. I. 
The Rev. Howard B. Grose, D.D., 
Editorial Secretary American 
Baptist Home Mission Society, 
New York, N. Y. 
Mr. W. N. Hartshorn, 


Chairman, Hxecutive Committee 
of the International Sunday- 
School Associations, 

Boston, Mass. 


The Rev. J. Henry Haslam, D.D., 
Pastor, Gethsemane Baptist 


Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Wayland Hoyt, D.D., 
LL.D., 


Pastor, 
Church, 


Epiphany Baptist 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. Curtis Lee Laws, D.D., 
Pastor, Greene Ave. Baptist 


Church, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 


ROLL OF DELEGATES APPOINTED. 


The Rey. Warren G. Partridge, 


Debs 
Pastor, Fourth Ave. Baptist 
Church, Pittsburg, Pa. 


Harry Pratt Judson, LL.D., 
President, University of Chicago, 
hieago, Ill. 


The Rev. Albert G. Lawson, D.D., 
General Secretary, Colgate Uni- 
versity, . 

New York, N. Y. 


Rev. Shailer Mathews, D.D., 


Dean of the Divinity School, 
University of Chicago, 
Chicago, Ill. 


The Rev. H. L. Morehouse, D-.D., 
Corresponding Secretary Amer- 
ican Baptist Home Mission So- 


ciety, 
New York, N. Y. 


The Rev. Donald Duncan Munro, 
Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, 
New Haven, Conn. 


The Rev. Frank D. Penney, D.D., 
Pastor, Baptist Church, 
Burlington, Vt. 


Hon. Henry K. Porter, 
Member of Congress, 
Pittsburg, Pa. 


The Rev. George E. Rees, D.D., 
Pastor, New Tabernacle Baptist 


Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
The Rev. W. C. P. Rhoades, D.D., 
Pastor, Marcey Ave. Baptist 
Church, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 


Rey. A. J. Rowland, D.D., LL.D., 
Secretary American Baptist 

-Publication Society, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Kittredge Wheeler, D.D., 
Pastor, North Baptist Church, 
Camden, N. J. 


The Rev. Hervey Wood, D.D. 
New York. 
Mr. E. M. Thresher, 
Dayton, Ohio. 
The Rev. C. A. Soars, D.D., 
Secretary, Baptist State Conven- 
tion of Pa. 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Mr. S. W. Woodward, 
Washington, D. C. 


The Rev. W. W. Weeks, D.D., 
Springfield, Mass. 


Mr. Francis E. Weston, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


555 


NATIONAL BAPTIST (AFRI-. 
CAN) CONVENTION. 


Delegates appointed under action 
taken by the Convention in 1907. 


The Rev. William Alexander, D.D., 
Baltimore, Md. 


The Rev. W. W. Brown, D.D., 
Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church, 
Pittsburg, Pa. 


The Rev. A. Childs, D.D., 
Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Wm. A. Creditt, D.D., 
Pastor, First African Baptist 


Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. G. L. Davis, 


Pastor Second Baptist Church, 
Nicetown, Pa. 


The Rev. J. H. Drelle, D. D. 


Pastor Baptist Church, 
Lansdowne, Pa. 


The Rey. M. W. Gilbert, D.D., 
Pastor, Mt. Olivet Baptist 


Church, 
New York, N. Y. 


The Rev. A. Gordon, D.D., 
Pastor Monumental Baptist 


Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. J. C. Jackson, D.D., 


Pastor, Baptist Church, 
Jenkintown, Pa. 


The Rev. E. W. Johnson, D.D., 
Pastor, St. Paul’s' Baptist 


Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Harvey Johnson, D.D., 
Baltimore, Md. 


The Rev. E. W. Moore, D.D., 
Pastor, Zion Baptist Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. W. G. Parks, D.D., 


Pastor, Union Baptist Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Clarence Parrish, 
Roxborough, Pa. 


The Rev. Wm. H. Philips, D.D., 


Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


556 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


The Rev. A. R. Robinson,. D.D., 


Pastor, Baptist Church, 
Chester, Pa. 


The Rev. G. L, Taliaferro, D.D., 
Pastor, Holy Trinity Baptist 


Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


x 


CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion of the American Christian 
Convention, October, 1907: 


The Rev. J. F. Burnett, D.D., 
Secretary of the American 
Christian Convention, 

Piqua, O. 


The Rev. Oliver W. Powers, D.D., 


Home Mission Secretary, 
Dayton, Ohio. 


The Rev. W. D. Samuel, D.D., 
President, American Christian 
Convention; Pastor, First Chris- 
tian Church, 

Piqua, Ohio. 


The Rev. W. W. Staley, D.D., 
President of the Southern 
Christian Convention, 


The Rev. 
D.D.. 
President, Palmer 


Starkey Seminary, 
Lakemont, N. Y. 


The Rev. John B. Weston, D.D., 


LL.D., 
President Christian Biblical In- 


stitute, 
Defiance, O. 


CONGREGATIONAL 
CHURCHES. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion of the National Council of 
the Congregational Churches of 
the United States, Thirteenth 
Triennial Session, Cleveland, Ohio, 
October, 1907: 


The Rev. Asher Anderson, D.D., 


Secretary, National Council Con- 
gregational Churches, 
Boston, Mass. 


The Rev. Gaines Glenn Atkins, 
DD: 


Pastor, First 
Church, 


Martyn Summerbell, 


Institute— 


Congregational 
Detroit, Mich. 


The Rev. James L. Barton, D.D., 
Foreign Secretary, American 
Board of Commissioners for For- 


eign Missions, 
Boston, Mass. 


The Rev. P. A. Cool, D.D., - 
Buffalo, N. Y. 


The Rev. Ozora S. Davis, D.D., 
Pastor, South Congregational 


Church, 
New Britain, Conn. 


The Rev. Albert E. Dunning, D.D., 
Editor, “The Congregationalist,” 
Boston, Mass. 


The Rev. Azel W. Hazen, D.D., 


Pastor First Congregational 
Chureh, 
Middletown, Conn. 


The Rev. Hubert C. Herring, D.D., 


General Secretary, Congregation- 
al Home Missionary Society, 
New York, N. Y 


The Rey. Oliver Huckel, D.D., 


Pastor of the Associate Congre— 
gational Church, 
Baltimore, Md. 


The Rev. Joel S. Ives, 


Secretary, Missionary Society of 
Connecticut; Registrar and 
Treasurer, National Council Con- 
gregational Churches of U. S. A. 


The Rev. Charles Luther Kloss, 
DDs 
Pastor, Central Congregational 


Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Albert J. Lyman, D.D., 
Pastor, South Congregational 


Church, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 


The Rev. W. D. Mackenzie, D.D., 
President, Hartford Theological 


Seminary, 
: Hartford, Conn. 


Hon. Thomas C. MacMillan, 
Moderator of the National Coun- 
cil, Congregational Churches, 

Chicago, Ill. 

The Rev. Henry A. Miner, 

Editor and Secretary, Wisconsin 
Federation of Churches and 
Christian Workers, 

Madison, Wis. 


The Rev. Alfred T. Perry, D.D., 
President, Marietta College 
Marietta, Ohio. 


The Rev. Rockwell H. Potter, D.D., 


Pastor, First Church of Christ, 
(Congregational), 
Hartford, Conn. 


ROLL OF DELEGATES APPOINTED. 557 


The Rey. Charles H. Richards, D.D., 


Secretary, Congregational Church 
Building Society, 
New York, N. Y. 


The Rev. Edward Tallmadge Root, 


Field Secretar, Rhode Island 
and Massachus tts Federation of 
Churches, 

Providence, Rok: 


The Rev. Frederick T. Rouse, 
Pastor, First Congregational 


Church, 
Omaha, Neb. 


The Rev. Charles H. Small, D.D., 
Secretary, Ohio Home Mission- 


ary Society, 
Cleveland, Ohio. 


The Rey. E. B. Sanford, D.D., 
Corresponding Secretary Fed- 
eral Council of the Churches of 
Christ in America, 

New York, N. Y. 


Professor Edward A. Steiner, 
Grinnell, Iowa. 


The Rev. Ward T. Sutherland, 
2310] De 
Pastor, Congregational Church, 
Wellsville, N. Y. 


The Rey. William Hayes Ward. 
DD. LL.D, 


Editor, “The Independent,” 
New York, N. Y. 


CONGREGATIONAL METHOD- 
IST CHURCHES, NORTH. 


Delegates. appointed under ac- 
tion taken by First Conference of 
Congregational Methodist Church- 
es, North, at its meeting held at 
Billingsport, N. J., November, 
1907: 


The Rey. Robert W. B. King, 
Pastor, Billingsport Cu) M. 
Church, 

Billingsport, N. J. 


The Rey. J. Baker Steward, 


President First Conference of 
Congregational Methodist Church- 


es, North, ‘ 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. A. S. Winans, 


Pastor First C. M. Church, 
Millville, N. J. 


ALTERNATES. 


The Rev. R. W. Sutcliffe, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Harry Taylor, 


Pastor, Taylor C. M. Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion taken by a Conference held at 
Norfolk, Va., October, 1907: 


The Rev. B. A. Abbott, 
Pastor, 
Baltimore, Md. 
The Rev. Peter Ainslie, 


Pastor, Christian Temple and 
Dean, the Temple Seminary, 
Baltimore, Md. 


The Rev. Miner Lee Bates, A. M., 


President, Hiram College, 
Hiram, Ohio. 


The Rev. Levi G. Batman, 


Pastor, First Christian Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. K. S. Black, 
Pastor, 
Scio; Nee 


The Rev. J. Walter Carpenter, 


Pastor Christian Church, 
Uniontown, Pa. 


The Rev. Thomas E. Cramblet, 
LL.D., 


President, Bethany College, 
Bethany, W. Va. 


The Rey. Lawrence Fenninger, 
Pastor, 
. Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Thomas Ferguson, 


The Rev. J. H. Garrison, LL.D., 
Editor, ‘Christian Evangelist,” 
5 St. Louis, Mo. 


The Hon. W. H. Graham, 
Allegheny, Pa. 


The Rev. L. L. Higgins, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. John J. Hill, 


Pastor, Central 
Church, 


Christian 


Cincinnati, Ohio. 


The Rev. J. A. Hopkins, 


Pastor, Disciples of 
Church, 


Christ 
Winston-Salem, N. C. 


508 


The Rey. 


J. RK. lachtenberger, 
Ph.D., 


New York, N. Y. 


Eli H. Long, M.D., 
Pres. N. Y. State Missionary So- 

ciety (Disciples), 
Buffalo, N. Y. 


The Rey. George A. Miller, M. A., 
Pastor, Ninth Street Christian 
Church, 

Washington, D. C. 


The Rev. F. D. Kershner, 


President, Milligan College, 
Milligan, Tenn. 


E. E. Montgomery, M. D., LL.D., 


Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. W. T. Moore, LL.D., 
Dean Emeritus, Missouri Bible 
College; Professor, Ethics and 
Christian Evidences in Christian 
College, 

Columbia, Mo. 


The Hon. Thos. W. Phillips, 
Newcastle, Pa. 


The Rey. 
LL.D., 


Pastor, Vermont Avenue Chris- 
tian Church, 


Frederick D. Power, 


Washington, D. C.- 


The Rey. W. F. Richardson, D.D., 
Pastor, First Christian Church, 
Kansas City, Mo. 

The Rev. G. W. Remagen, 
Ocean View, Del. 
The Rev. Geo. C. Rutledge, LL.D., 
Pastor, Third Christian Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 

The Rev. John G. Slayter, 
Pittsburg, Pa. 


The Rey. J. G. Thompson, 
Mr. F. E. Udell, 
St. Louis, Mo. 


The Rev. W. R. Warren, . 
Pittsburg, Pa. 
The Rev. Herbert L. Willett, Ph.D., 
Professor, University of Chicago, 
Chicago, Ill. 


The Rev. S. T. Willis, LL.D., 
Pastor, Church of the Disciples 


of Christ, 
New York, N. Y. 


The Rev. Wm. Wright, 
Secretary Home Missionary So- 
ciety, 
Cincinnati, O. 


The Rey. Kenley J. Zener, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


GERMAN EVANGELICAL SYN- 
OD OF NORTH AMERICA. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion taken by the District Con- 
ferences and General Synod, in 
1907: e 


The Rev. J. E. Digel, 


President Synod of N. A.; Pas- 
tor St. John’s Bvangelical 


Massillon, Ohio. 


The Rev. Samuel John, 
Pastor, Bethlehem German Hyan- 
gelical Church, 
Ann Arbor, Mich. 
The Rev. John G. Kircher, 


Pastor, Evangelical Bethlehem 
Church (Evangelical Synod of 
North America), 

Chicago, Ill. 


The Rev. J. U. Schneider, Ph.D., 


President, Literary Board of the 
German Evangelical Synod of 
North America; Pastor, Zion’s 
Evangelical Church, 

Evansville, Ind. 


The Rev. Adolf Schmidt, Ph.D. 
Pastor, Zion’s German Evangel- 


ical Church, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 


EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion taken by the General Confer- 
ence of the Evangelical Associa- 
tion, Milwaukee, Wis., October 

1907: 


The Rev. Bishop S. C. Breyfogel, 
D.D. 
Bishop of the Evangelical Asso- 


ciation, 
Reading, Pa. 


The Rev. W. H. Bucks, 


Editor, “Evangelical Messenger,” 
Cleveland, Ohio. 


The Rev. G. Heinmiller, 
Cleveland, O. 


The Rev. S. J. Gamertsfelder, 
DADE 


President, Theological Seminary, 
Naperville, Ill. 


The Rev. J. B. Kanagar, 


President H. J. Kiekhoefer, Ph.D., 


President, Northwestern College, 
Naperville, I). 


i 


ROLL OF DELEGATES APPOINTED. 


FREE BAPTISTS. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion taken by the General Confer- 
ence of the Free Baptist Churches 
at their 33d Triennial Session, in 
Cleveland, Ohio, October, 1907: 


The Rev. Alfred Williams An- 
thony, D.D., 
Professor, Cobb Divinity School; 
Secretary Maine Interdenomina- 
tional Commission, 
Lewiston, Me. 


The Rev. George Colby Chase, D. 
DD, LED; 


President, Bates College, 
Lewiston, Me. 


. The Rey. John Merrill Davis, Ph. 
1D: 5 IDE) 


President, Rio Grande College, 
Rio Grande, Ohio. 


The Rey. Rivington D. Lord, D.D.. 
Former President of the General 
Conference of Free Baptists; Pas- 
tor of First Free Baptist Church, 

Brooklyn, N. Y. 


The Rey. George F. Mosher, LL.D., 


Editor, “Morning Star,” 
Jamaica Plains, Mass. 


The Rev. Z. A. Space, D.D., 


President, Keuka Park College, 
Keuka Park, N. Y. 


LUTHERAN. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion taken by the General Synod 
of the Lutheran Church, at its 
meeting in Sunbury, Pa., May, 
1907: 


The Rey. Chas. S. Albert, D.D., 
Professor in Theological Sem-— 


inary, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Rev. D. H. Bauslin, D.D., 2¥ 
Editor, “The Lutheran orld,” 
and Professor in the Theological 
Department, Wittenburg College, 

Springfield, Ohio. 


Mr. HE. F. Evlert, 
New York, N. Y. 


The Rev. Harlan K. Fenner, D.D., 
Pastor, Second English Lutheran 
Church; Secretary of the General 
Synod of the Evangelical Luth- 
eran Church, 

Louisville, Ky, 


509 


The Rev. Frederick G. Gotwald, 
D:D:, 


General Secretary, Board of Ed- 
ucation of the General Synod of 
the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 

York, Pa. 


Hon. Peter S. Grosscup, 
Presiding Judge, U. S. Circuit 


Goart of Appeals, Seventh Cir- 
cuit, 
Chicago, Ill. 


The Rev. J. B. Remensnyder, D.D., 
Pastor, St. James’ Lutheran 


Church, 
New York, N. Y. 


Mr. Wm. E. Stoever, Litt. D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. George U. Wenner, D.D., 


President of the Synod of New 
York of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church; Pastor, Christ Church, 

New York, N. Y. 


The Rev. John J. Young, D.D., 


Pastor, St. John’s Evangelical 
Lutheran Church, 
New York, N. Y. 


ALTERNATE DELEGATES. 


W. H. Dunbar, D.D., Baltimore, 
Mad. 

Ezra K. Bell, 
Ma. 

Edwin H. Delk, D.D., Philadelphia, 
Pa. 

P. C. Croll, D.D., Lebanon, Pa. 

Henry 8. Boner, Philadelphia, Pa. 


D.D., Baltimore, 


MENNONITE CHURCH. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion taken by the General Confer- 
ence of the Mennonite Church at 
its meeting in Beatrice, Neb., Sep- 
tember, 1908: 


The Rev. A. M. Fretly, 
i Sondertown, N. Y. 


The Rey. D. Goerz, 
Newton, Kans. 


The Rev. N. B. Grubb, D.D., 


Pastor, First Mennonite Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. A. B. Shelly, 
Quakertown, Pa. 


The Rey. Anthony S. Shelly, 
Pastor, Hereford Mennonite 
Church, ; 

Bally, Pa. 


060 


METHODIST EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH. 


Delegates appointed under action 
taken by the General Conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at its meeting in Baltimore, Md., 
May, 1908: 


The Rev. Bishop W. F. Anderson, 
D:D bape 
_ Chattanooga, Tenn. 


Alternate—Rev. P. M. Watters, 
D.D., 


District Superintendent, 
Yonkers, N. Y. 


Rey. Emory C. Beach, 


Pastor, 
Winfield, Kans. 


Alternate—Rev. J. G. Bickerton, 
D.D., 
Corresponding Secretary, . 


Philadelphia, Pa. 


Horace Benton, 
Cleveland, Ohio. 


Alternate—Rev. W. W. Evans, D. 
D 


District Superintendent, 
Huntingdon, Pa. 


Rev. J. W. E. Bowen, D.D., 


President, Gammon Theological 
Seminary, 
Atlanta, Ga. 
Alternate—Rev. H. A. Monroe, 
D.D., 


District Superintendent, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Samuel W. Bowne, 


Vice President, New York City 
Church Extension and Mission- 


ary Society, 
New York City. 


Rey. G. Il. Bridgman, D.D., 
President, Hamline University, 
Hamline, Minn. 


Alternate—Clarence D. Antrim, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Rev. J. M. Buckley, D.D., LL.D., 
Editor, Christian Advocate, 
New York, N. Y. 


Rev. H. A. Buttz, D.D., 
President Drew Theological Sem- 


inary, 
Madison, N. J. 


The Rey. Bishop Earl Cranston, 
ID EID Es ba BID): 
Washington, D. C, 


FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


Hanford Crawford, 
St. Louis, Mo. 


Alternate—Dr. J. E. James, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
Saml. Dickie, LL.D., 
President Albion College, 
Albion, Mich. 


Hon. J. P. Dolliwer, 
Senator from Iowa 
Washington, D. Cc. 
Alternate—Chas. Scott, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Rev. G. P. Eckman, D.D., 


Pastor St. Paul’s M. B. Church, 
New York City. 


Alternate—Rev. C. M. Boswell, 


D.D., 


Corresponding Secretary, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


E. L. Dobbins, 
Newark, N. J. 


Alternate—Thomas Bradley, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Rev. G. Elliott, D.D., 
Field Secretary, Board of Home 


Missions, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
Alternate—Rey. A. G. Kynett, 
D:D: 
Secretary, Home Missions and 


Church Extension, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rev. Robert Forbes, D.D., 
Secretary, Board of Home Mis- 
sions and Church Extension, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
The Rev. Bishop C. D. Foss, D.D., 
IDG AID 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rev. Luther Freeman, D.D., 


Pastor Independence ~ 


Avenue 
Church, 5 


Kansas City, Mo. 


Rev. John Galbraith, D.D., 


District Superintendent, 
Boston, Mass. 


Rey. Levi Gilbert, D.D., LL.D., 
Editor Western Christian Advo- 


cate, 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 
‘Alternate—Rey. Frank Lynch, 
1DID): 


District Superintendent, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Rev. Charles L. Goodell, D.D., 


Pastor Calvary Church 
New York City. 


ROLL OF DELEGATES APPOINTED. 561 


The Rev. Bishop D. A. Goodsell, 
D.D., LL.D., 
New York City. 


Rey. J. F. Goucher, D.D., 
Baltimore, Md. 


The Rev. Bishop John W. Hamil- 
ton, DD., LL.D., 
Boston, Mass. 


C. H. Harding, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Rev. W. I. Haven, D.D., 


Secretary, American Bible So- 
ciety, 
New York City. 
Rev. BE. W. Mills, D.D., 
Pastor, 


Towanda, Pa. 


Hon. E. W. Hoch, 


Governor, Kansas, 
Topeka, Kans. 


Mirai “Goorge I. Bodine, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


H. C. M. Ingraham, LL.D., 
Brooklyn, Nee Ys 
Rev. G. W. Izer, D.D., 


Calvary M. E. Church, 
Philadelphia, Pas 


Rey. W. V. Kelley, D.D., L. H. D., 


Editor, Methodist Review, 
New York City. 


Rey. W. G. Koons, 


District Superintendent, 
Smyrna, Del. 


Rev. W. F. King, D.D., 
eee Emeritus, Cornell Col- 
ege, 
Mt. Vernon, Iowa. 
Rey. A. B. Leonard, D.D., 
Corresponding Secretary, Board 
of Foreign Missions, M. E. 
Church. 
Rey. H. C. McDermott, D.D., 
Pastor, 
West Pittston, Pa. 


The Rev. Bishop Wm. F. McDow- 
cH, DD., LED; 
Chicago, III. 


The Rev. Bishop Robert M. Me- 
Intyre, D.D., 
St. Paul, Minn. 


D. B. Johnson, 
Chicago, Ill. 
Rev. Wallace McMullen, D.D., 


Pastor, Madison Ave. Church, 
New York City. 


Alternate—Rey. 


Rev. Chas. M. Melden, D.D., 


Principal, Wilbraham Academy, 
Wilbraham, Mass. 


Rev. W. J. Meredith, 


District Superintendent, 
Smith Center, Kans. 


Alternate—Rev. J. J. Wallace, 
D.D., 
Editor, Pittsburg Christian Ad- 


vocate, 
Pittsburg, Pa. 


Rev. C. B. Mitchell, D.D., 
Pastor, St. James’ M. E. Church, 
Chicago, Ill. 


John R. Mott, 


Secretary Foreign Department, 
eo Committee, Y. M. 


= New York City. 


Rev. W. L. S. Murray, D.D., 
Wilmington, Del. 


The Rey. Bishop Thomas B. Neely, 
DADE Wb 
New Orleans, La. 


Rey. Frank Mason North, D.D., 


Corresponding Secretary, Na- 
tional City Evan. Union, 


Rev. Bradford P. Raymond, D.D., 


Wesleyan University, 
Middietown, Conn. 


Rey. G. E. Reed, D.D., LL.D., 


President, Dickinson College, 
Carlisle, Pa. 


Rev. Chas. Reuss, 
Pastor, Blinn Memorial Church, 
New York City. 


Henry Wade Rogers, LL.D., 
Dean, Yale University Law 
Department, 
New Haven, Conn. 


J. M. Read, D.D., 


District Superintendent, 
Trenton, N. J. 


Rev. S. O. Royal, 
District Superintendent, 
Dayton, Ohio. 


Alternate—Rev. C. W. Burns, 
D.D., 

Pastor, 

Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Bishop C. W. Smith, 
D.D., LL.D., 

Portland, Ore. 
The Rev. Bishop Henry Spell- 


meyer, D.D., LL.D., 
St. Louis, Mo. 


* 


562 


Rev. C. B. Spencer, D.D., LL.D., 
Editor Central Christian Advo- 


cate, 
Kansas City, Mo. 


Rev. L. L. Thomas, 
Field Agent, Board of Home 


Missions, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Rev. S. W. Thomas, D.D., 
Hditor, Philadelphia Methodist, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rev. H. V. Holt, 
District Superintendent, 
Chicago, Ill. 


Rey. E. S. Tipple, D.D., 
Professor, Drew Theological 


Seminary, 
Madison, N. J. 


Rev. 8S. W. Truesdale, D.D., 


District Superintendent, 
Madison, Iowa. 


The Rev. Bishop J. H. Vincent, 
D.D., LL.D., 
Indtanapolis, Ind. 


The Rev. Bishop J. M. Walden, 
D.D., LL.D., 


Cincinnati, Ohio. — 


Rev. G. B. Wight, D.D., 
Commissioner of Charities, State 
of New Jersey, 

Trenton, N. J. 


Rev. J. G. Wilson, D.D., 


District Superintendent, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Bishop L. B. Wilson, 
D.D., UL.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


METHODIST EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH, SOUTH. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion taken by the General Confer- 
ence of the Methodist Hpiscopal 
Church, South, at its meeting in 
Birmingham, Ala., May, 1906. 


The Rev. James Cannon, D.D., 
Editor, 
Richmond, Va. 


The Rev. Joel T. Dover, 
Atlanta, Ga. 


Mr. T. T. Fishburne, 
Roanoke, Va. 


FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


The Rey. J. S. Frazer, D.D., 


Presiding Elder, Mobile District. 

Alabama Conference, Methodist 

Episcopal Church, South, 
Byergreen, Ala. 


Mr. C. C. Henderson, 
Arkadelphia, Ark. 


The Rev. Bishop Eugene R. Hen- 
drix, D.D., LL.D. 
Kansas City, Mo. - 


The Rev. Bishop E. E. Foss, D.D., 
LL.D., 
Nashville, Tenn. 


The Rev. Thomas N. Ivey, D.D., 


Editor, “Raleigh Christian Ad- 
vocate,” North Carolina Confer- 


ence, 
Raleigh, N. C. 


The Rey. F. S. H. Johnston, D.D., 
Presiding Elder, Ft. Smith Dis- 


trict. ; 
Ft. Smith, Ark. 


Mr. Thomas B. King, 
Memphis, Tenn. 


J. H. Kirkland, LL.D., D. C. L., 
Chancellor of Vanderbilt Univer- 


sity, 
Nashville, Tenn. 


The Rev. S. D. Long, D.D., 
President, Martha Washington 


College, 
Abingdon, Va. 


Mr. J. KE. McShane, 
Houston, Tex. 


The Rev. Eugene H. Pearce, D.D., 
Danville, Ky. 


Mr. Arthur B. Pugh, 
Special Assistant to Attorney 


General, - 
Washington, D. C. 


Capt. John L. Roper, 
Norfolk, Va. 


The Rev. Edwin P. Ryland, 


Pastor, Hollywood Memorial 
aMemodtst Episcopal Church, 
outh, : 


Hollywood, Cal. 


Wm. W. Smith, LL.D., 

* Chancellor of the Randolph-Ma- 
con System of Colleges and 
Schools, 

Lynchburg, Va. 


The Rev. Henry N. Snyder, Litt. 
D., LL.D., 


President, Wofford College, 


Spartansburg, S. C 


ROLL OF DELEGATES APPOINTED. 


The Rey. S. H. Wainright, D.D., 
St. Louis, Mo. 


Mr. John L. Wheat, 
Louisville, Ky. 


The Rey. Bishop A. W. Wilson, 
D.D., LL.D., 


Baltimore, Md. 


The Rev. George B. Winton, D.D., 
Editor, “The Christian Advo- 


cate,” 
Nashville, Tenn. 


AFRICAN METHODIST EPIS- 
COPAL CHURCH. 


Delegates. appointed under ac- 
tion taken by the General Con- 
ference of the African Methodist 
Episcopal Church, at its meeting, 
Norfolk, Va., May, 1908: 


The Rev. W. B. Anderson, D.D., 
Presiding Elder, Pittsburg Dis- 


trict 
4 Pittsburg, Pa. 


Bishop L. J. Coppin, D.D.., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. W. D. Cook, D.D., 
Pastor, St. Paul African Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, 

St. Louis, Mo. 


Bishop W. B. Derrick, D.D., LL.D., 
Flushing, N. Y. 


Bishop W. J. Gaines, D.D., LL.D., 
Atlanta, Ga. 


The Rey. T. Wellington Hender- 
son, D.D., 


Pastor, Charles Street African 
Methodist Episcopal Church, 


Boston, Mass. 
The Rev. John Hurst, D.D., 
Financial Secretary, African 


Methodist Episcopal Church, 
Washington, D. C. 


The H. T. Kealing, Ph.D., 
Editor, “African Methodist 
Episcopal Review,” 
Nashville, Tenn. 


Bishop E. W. Lampton, D.D., 
Greenville, Miss. 


The Rev. Louis H. Reynolds, D.D., 
Pastor, Emanuel African Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, 

Portsmouth, Va. 


Rey. I. W. L. Roundtree, 
Trenton, N. J. 


#- 


563 


-The Rev. T. A. Smythe, D.D., 


Pastor, 
Detroit, Mich. 
AFRICAN METHODIST EPIS- 
COPAL ZION CHURCH. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion taken by the General Confer- 
ence of the African Methodist 
Episcopal Zion Church at its meet- 
ing in Philadelphia, Pa., May, 
1908: 


Bishop George W. Clinton, D.D., 
Charlotte, N. C. 


Bishop C. R. Harris, D.D., 
Salisbury, N. C. 


Bishop Alexander Walters, D.D., 
New York, N. Y. 


Bishop Andrew Jackson Warner, 
D.D., 
Charlotte, N. C. 


ALTERNATES, 


2 h- Re Ball, DD:, 
Jersey City, N. J. 
aye. Colpert-.D:D- 
Chicago, IIl. 
Rey. A. A. Crook, D.D., 
Providence, R. I. 
. J. S. Jackson, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
. M. D. Lee, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rev. W. L. Lee, 
Pittsburg, Pa. 
Rey. James E. Mason, D.D., 
Rochester, N. Y. 


Rey. J. H. McMullen. 
New York City. 
Rey. R. A. Morrisey, D.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
Rey. 


R. S. Rieves, 
: Knoxville, Tenn. 


METHODIST PROTESTANT 
CHURCH. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion of the General Conference of 
at its meeting in Pittsburg, Pa., 
the Methodist Protestant Church 
May, 1908: 


The Rey. Brayman W. Anthony, 
D.D., 


President of Adrian College, 
Adrian, Mich. 


564 


Mr. J. J. Barge, 
Atlanta, Ga. 


The Rev. M. D. Helmick, D.D., 


Pastor, First Street Methodist 
Protestant Church, 
Elkins, W. Va. 


The Rev. M. L. Jennings, D.D., 
LL.D., 
Editor, “The Methodist Record- 


er,” 
Pittsburg, Pa. 
Mr. G. B. Moore, 


Pittsburg, Pa. 


The Rev. A. L. Reynolds, D.D., 
Pastor, Bellebrook Church, 
Bellbrook, Ohio. 


Mr. W. E. Sankey, 
Pittsburg, Pa. 


The Rey. C. D..Sinkinson, D.D., 
Pastor, Christ Methodist Pro- 
testant Church, 

Atlantic City, N. J. 


The Rev. D. S. Stephens, D.D., 
LL.D., 
Chancellor, Kansas City Univer- 


sity 
y 3 Kansas City, Kans. 


The Rev. F. T. Tagg, D.D., 


Editor, “The Methodist Pro- 
testant,”’ 
Baltimore, Md. 


The Rev. J. W. Trout, D.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


COLORED METHODIST EPIS- 
COPAL CHURCH IN AMER- 
ICA. 


Delegates appointed under ac- 
tion taken by the General Confer- 
ence of the Colored Methodist 
Episcopal Church in America at 
its meeting in Memphis, Tenn., 
May, 1906: 


The Rev. R. T. Brown, D.D., 

The Rev. Bishop EF. Cottrell, D.D., 
The Rev. F. M. Hamilton, 

The Rev. Bishop Isaac Lane, D.D., 
The Rey. C. L. Knox, 


The Rev. G. T. Long, 

The Rev. Bishop C. H. Phillips, 
DED: 

The Rev. Bishop R. S. Williams, 
DD 


FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


PRIMITIVE METHODIST 
CHURCH. 


Delegates. appointed under ac- 
tion of annual Conferences. 


The Rev. John Bath,. 
‘ Reading, Pa. 


The Rev. T. M: Bateman, D.D., 
Pastor, First Primitive Metho- 
dist Church, 

New Bedford, Mass. 


MORAVIAN CHURCH. 


Delegates appointed under action 
taken by The Synod of the Mora- 
vian Chureh, at its meeting in 
Lititz, Pa., September; 1908. 


The Rt. Rev. Morris W. Leibert, 
D.D., 


President of the Executive Board 
of the Moravian Church in Amer- 


ica. 
New York, N. Y. 


The Rev. Paul de Schweinitz, D.D., 
Secretary of Missions of the Mo- 
ravian Church in America, 

Bethlehem, Pa. 


_ The Rey. A. D. Thaeler, 


Pastor, Moravian Church, 
Bethlehem, Pa. 


The Rey. Edward 8. Wolle, 
Pastor, First Moravian Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN 
THE U.S. A. 


Delegates appointed under action 
taken by the General Assembly of 
the Presbyterian Church in the U. 
S. A. at its meeting in Des Moines, 
Iowa, May 1906. 


George W. Bailey, M. D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Mr. E. E. Beard, 
Lebanon, Tenn. 


Mr. Nolan R. Best, 
Editor “The Interior,” 
Chicago, Ill. 


The Rey. William Henry Black, 
D.D., Lu.D., 
President of Missouri Valley 
College, 


Marshall, Mo. 


Mr. S. B. Brownell, 
New York, N. Y. 


ROLL OF DELEGATES APPOINTED. 


Mr. John H.-Converse, LL.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Rev. Robert Francis Coyle, D.D., 
ELD. 
Pastor of the Central Presby- 
terian Church, Denver, Colo. 
Former Moderator of the Gen- 
eral Assembly, 
Denver, Colo. 


The Rey. William J. Darby, D.D., 


Assistant Secretary, Boafd of 
Education Presbyterian Church, 


US. A; 
Evansville, Ind. 


mre ea John Bancroft Devins, 


server,” First President ‘Fed- 
eration of East Side ear 
New York, 


The Rev. Charles A. Dickey, D.D., 


LL.D., 
Pastor, Bethany Collegiate 
Church, Moderator General As- 


sembly, 1900, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. D. Stuart Dodge, D.D., 
President, Board of Home Mis- 
sions, Presbyterian Church. 

New York, N. Y. 


The Rey. Charles R. Erdman, D.D., 
Professor of Practical Theology 
in the Theological Seminary of 
the Presbyterian Church, 

Princeton, N. J. 


The Rey. E. A. Elmore, D.D., 
Pastor, Second Presbyterian 


Church U. S. A, 
Chattanooga, Tenn. 


Baxter P. Fullerton, 


lee of the “New York Ob- 


The Rey. 


D.D. 

Moderator of General Assembly; 
Field Secretary, Board of Home 
Missions, Presbyterian Church 


in U. S. A., 
St. Louis, Mo. 


Mr. H. C. Gara, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. Reuben Haines Hartley, 
1DEID EE 
Pastor, Westminster Presby- 


terian Church, 
Grand Rapids, Mich. 


The Rey. Edgar P. Hill, D.D., 
Professor, Homiletics and Ap- 
plied Christianity, McCormick 
Theological Seminary; Superin- 
tendent, Church Extension Com- 
mittee, "Presbytery of Chicago, 

Chicago, Ill. 


Hon. William M. Lanning, 
United States Judge, District of 


New Jersey, 
ss Trenton, N. J. 


565 


The Rey. Robert Mackenzie, D.D., 


Pastor, Rutgers Presbyterian 
Church, 
ew York, N. Y. 
Hon. John A. wenaune 


Washington, Pa. 


The Rev. William McKibbin, D.D., 
LL.D., 


President, Lane Theological Sem- 
inary, 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 


Mr. Henry W. Jessup, LL.D., 
New York, N. Y. 


The Rey. William L. «McEwan, 
EDs 
Pastor, Third 12 i 
Easton, i resbyterian 


Pittsburg, Pa. 
The Rev. James D. Moffat, DED: 


LL.D., 
President of Washington and 
Jefferson College; Moderator 


General Assembly, 1905. 
Washington, Pa. 


The Rey. Samuel J. Niccolls, D.D., 
LL.D., 


Pastor, Second Presbyterian 
Church, Moderator General As- 


A sembly, 1872, 
St. Louis, Mo. 


The Rey. Wm. H. Oxtoby, D.D., 


Pastor, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. George Reynolds, D.D., 
Pastor, Second Presbyterian 


Church, 
Kansas City, Mo. 


The Rey. William Henry Roberts, 
DAD. als Ds, 
Stated Clerk, General Assembly 
Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.; 
Moderator General Assembly, 
1907; American Secretary, Pan- 
Presbyterian Alliance, Chair- 
man, Executive Committee Fed- 


eral Council, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


Mr. Louis H. Severance, 
New York, N. Y. 


Judge George H. Shields, 
St. Louis, Mo. 


The Rev. J. Ross Stevenson, D.D., 
Pastor, Fifth Avenue Presby- 


terian Church, 
New York, N. Y. 


Mr. Thomas W. Synnott, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


566 


The Rev. Chas. L. Thompson, D.D., 
Secretary Home Board of the 
Presbyterian Church, 

New York, N. Y. 


Mr. Reuben Tyler, 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 


fr. Edwin S. Wells, 
Lake Forest, IIl. 


Hon. Robert N. Willson, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN 
* 105 1S» 

Delegates appointed under action 
taken by the General Assembly of 
the Presbyterian Church in the 
United States (South) at its 
meeting in ee Ala. oy 
1907. 


The Rev. S. H. Chester, D.D., 
Secretary Board of Foreign Mis- 
sions, 

Nashville, Tenn. 

The Rev. William 

D.D., 

Pastor, 

Church, 


Ray Dobyns, 


Presbyteridn 
St. Joseph, Mo. 


First 


The Rev. James 
D.D., LL.D., 
Professor, Philosophy, Wash- 
ington and Lee University; Mod- 
erator of General Assembly, 
1907, 


R. Howerton, 


Lexington, Va. 


President Eugene R. Long, Ph. D., 
President, Arkansas College, 
Batesville, Ark. 


The Rev. A. J. McKelway, D.D., 
Secretary for the Southern States 
of the National Child Labor 


Committee, 
Atlanta, Ga. 
The Rey. Edwin Muller, D.D., 
Pastor, First Presbyterial 
Church, 
Lexington, Ky 


The Rey. S. L. Morris, D.D., 
Secretary Board Home Missions, 
Atlanta, Ga. 


W. T. Palmer, D.D,, 
Lynchburg, Va 


The Rev. 


Hon. T. W. Somerville, 


University, Miss. 


FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


THE PROTESTANT EPESCO- 
PAL CHURCH IN THE 
UNITED STATES — 
OF AMERICA. 


Delegates present under action 
taken by the General Convention 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
in the U. S. A. at its meeting in 
Richmond, Va., October, 1907, au- 
thorizing its Commission on Chris- 
tian Unity to appoint representa- 
tives to the Federal Council. 


The Rey. George S. Bennett, D.D., 
Rector, Grace Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, 

Jersey City, N. J. 

Bernard Carter, Esq., ‘ 

Baltimore, Md. 


The Rt. Rev. Wm. C. Doane, D.D., 
TED 
oe of the Diocese of Albany, 


The Rev. H. H. Oberly, D.D., 
Rector, Christ Church, 
Elizabeth, N. J. 
George Martin Pepper, LL.D., D. 
C. L. 
Professor of Law in the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
The Rev. James S. Stone, D.D., 
Chicago, IIl. 
Mr. John H. Stotsenburg, 
New Albany, Ind. 
The Rt. Ethelbert Talbot, D.D., 
LL.D., 


Bishop of the Diocese of Central 
Pennsylvania, 
South Bethlehem, Pa. 
The Rt. Rev. 


Ozi W. Whitaker, 
D:D; Wh; 


Bishop of the Diocese of Penn- 


sylvania, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
The Rt. Rev. Cortlandt Whitehead, 
DD: LEDs 
Bishop of the Diocese of Pitts- 


burg, 
Pittsburg, Pa. 


REFORMED CHURCH IN 
AMERICA. 

Delegates appointed under action 
taken by the General Synod of the 
Reformed Church in America at its 
meeting at Asbury Park, N. J., 
June, 1906. 


The Rey. Irving H. Berg, 
Pastor, First Reformed Church 
Catskill, N. Y. 


ROLL OF DELEGATES APPOINTED. 


The Rey. William H. Boocock, 


Pastor, First Reformed Church 
Bayonne, N. J. 


The Rev. I. W. Gowen, D.D., 


Pastor, Reformed Church 
Weehawken, N. J. 


The Rev. John G. Fagg, D.D., 
Minister, Middle Collegiate 


Church, 
New York, N. Y. 


The Rev. H. Harmeling, 
South Holland, Ill. 


The Rev. M. Kolyn, 
Grand Rapids, Mich. 


The Rev. George R. Lunn, D.D., 
Pastor, First Reformed Church, 
Schenectady, N. Y. 


The Rev. P. H. Milliken, D.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Edward G. Read, D.D., 
Plainfield, N. J. 


The Rev. Ame Vennema, D.D., 


Pastor, First Reformed Church; 
STEERS General Synod, 1907, 
Passaic,.N. J. 


REFORMED CHURCH IN THE 
UNITED STATES. 


Delegates appointed under action 
taken by the General Synod of 
the Reformed Church in the United 
States at its meeting at York, Pa., 
May, 1908. 


The Rey. Cyrus Cort, D.D., 


Pastor, 
Overlea, Md. 


Mr. H. M. Housekeeper, 
¥. Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. J. Spangler Kieffer, D.D.,, 
Pastor, Zion Reformed Church 
in United States; President Gen- 
eral Synod, 

Hagerstown, Md. 


The Hon. George W. Kunkle, 
Harrisburg, Pa. 


The Rey. Paul 8. Leinbach, 


Secretary, General Board of 
Home Missions, Reformed 
Chureh in the United States; 


Pastor, First Reformed Church, 
Haston, Pa. 


567 


The Rev. Rufus W. Miller, D.D., 


-Secretary, Sunday-school Board 
of the Reformed Church in the 
United States, 

Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. John H. Prugh, D.D., 
Pastor Grace Reformed Church; 


former President, General 
Synod, 
Pittsburg, Pa. 
The Rev.. George W. Richards, 
DDS 


Professor, Church History, The- 

ological Seminary of the Reform- 

ed Church in United States, 
Lancaster, Pa. 


General John E. Roller, 
Harrisonburg, Pa. 


The Rev. Alvin 8. Zerbe, Ph.D., 
D.D., 
Professor, Old Testament Criti- 
cism and Theology, Central The- 


ological Seminary, 
Dayton, Ohio. 


REFORMED EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH. 


The Rey. W. A. Freemantle, D.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. Robert L. Rudolph, D.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. William Tracy, D.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. Joseph D. Wilson, D.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


REFORMED PRESLDYTERIAN 
CHURCH. 


Delegates appointed under action 
taken by the General Synod of 
the Reformed Presbyterian Church 
at its meeting, May, 1908. 


The Rev. James Y. Boice, D.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. W. H. Gailey, 
Pastor, Fifth Reformed Presby- 
terian Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. David McKinney, D.D., 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 


The Rey. Clarence Andrew Young, 
Pastor, Third Reformed Presby- 


terian ‘Chu reh, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


568 FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 


SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST 
CHURCHES. 


Delegates appointed under action 
taken by the General Conference 
of the Seventh Day Baptists at its 
meeting in. Leonardville, N. Y., 
August, 1906. 


Mr. Stephen Babcock, 
Yonkers, N. Y. 


Rev. B. C. Davis, D.D., LL.D., 
President, Alfred University, 
Alfred, N. 


The Rey. Arthur E. Main, D.D., 


Dean, and Professor of Theolo- 
gy, Alfred Theological Seminary, 
Alfred, N. Y. 


The Rev. Lewis A. Platts, D.D., 
Pastor of Seventh-day Baptist 


Church, 
Milton, Wis. 
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 


Delegates appointed under action 
taken by the ‘‘Five Year Meet- 
ing’’ of the Society of Friends, 
held at Richmond, Va., October, 
1908. 


Pres. Robert Lincoln Kelly, Ph. 
1D i De 
President, Earlham College, 
Richmond, Ind. 


Sylvester Newlin, M. D., 
Pastor, Friends Church 
Noblesville, Ind. 


J. W. Sparks, 
Wilmington, Ohio. 


Charles W. Sweet, 
Des Moines, Iowa. 


Charles Edwin Tebbetts, A. M., 


General Secretary, American 
Friends, Board of Foreign Mis- 


sions, 
Richmond, Ind. 


James Wood, 
Mt. Kisco, N. Y. 


ALTERNATE DELEGATES 


Prof. George A. Barton, Ph. D., 
Bryn Mawr College, 
Bryn Mawr, Pa. 


Pres. Isaae Sharpless, 
President, Haverford College, 
Haverford, Pa. 


Alfred C. Garrett, 
Germantown, Pa. 


Prof. Rufus M. Jones, 
Haverford College, 
Haverford, Pa. 


SWEDISH EVANGELICAL 
LUTHERAN AUGUST- 
ANA SYNOD. 


The Rev. G. Nelsenius, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 


The Rey. P. A. Rydberg, Ph. D., . 
New York, N. Y. 


The Rey. C. E. Slaett, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Mauritz Stolpe, D.D., 
New York, N. Y. 


CHURCH OF THE UNITED 
BRETHREN IN CHRIST. 


Delegates appointed under action 
authorized by the General Con- 
ference of the Church of the Unit- 
ed Brethren in Christ at a meet- 
ing of the Board of Bishops held 
at Dayton, O., April, 1908. 


The Rev. Bishop William Melvin 
Bell, D.D., 
Los Aneta Cal. 


The Rev. Lewis Bookwalter, D.D., 
LL.D., 


President, Otterbein University, 
Westerville, Ohio. 


The Rev. E. 8. Bowman, 
Princeton, N. J. 


The Rev. Bishop T. C. Carter, 
IDMD ES 
Chattanooga, Tenn. 


The Rey. J. P. Landis, D.D., Ph.D., 
Professor, Old Testament The 
ology and Exegesis, Union Bib- 
lical Seminary, 

Dayton, Ohio. 


The Rev. D. D. Lowery, D.D., 
District Superintendent, Hast 
Penna. Conference, 

Harrisburg, Pa. 


The Rev. Bishop G. M. Mathews, 


D.D. 
: Chicago, Ill. 


The Rev. Bishop J. S. Mills, D.D., 
LL.D., 
Annville, Pa. 


ROLL OF DELEGATES APPOINTED. 


The Rev. Wm. H. Washinger, D.D., 
Superintendent, Penna. Confer- 
ence, 

Chambersburg, Pa. 


The kev. Bishop W. M. Weekley, 


D.D., 
Kansas City, Mo. 


UNITED EVANGELICAL 
CHURCH. 


Delegates appointed under action 
taken by the General Conference 
of the United Evangelical Church 
at its meeting in Cedar Rapids, 
October, 1906. 


The Rev. 
LL.D., 
Editor, “Der Evangelische Zeit- 
schrift,” 


Rudolph Dubs, D.D., 


Harrisburg, Pa. 


The Rev. W. H. Fouke, 
Editor, Sunday-School and 
Christian Endeavor Literature, 
United Evangelical. Church, 
Harrisburg, Pa. 


The Rey. Bishop H. B. Hartzler, 


D:D, 
; Harrisburg, Pa. 


The Rev. Bishop W. F. Heil, D.D., 
Highland Park, Ill. 


The Rev. W. M. Stanford, D.D., 
Harrisburg, Pa. 


The Rev. U. F. Swengel, D.D., 
Lewistown, Pa. 


UNITED PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH OF NORTH 
AMERICA. 


Delegates'appointed under action 
taken by the General Assembly of 
the United Presbyterian Church at 
its meeting in Denver, Col., May, 
1907. 


The Rev. W. H. Fulton, 
Chicago, [ll. 


569 


The Rev. J. H. Gibson. D.D., 
Pittsburg, Kans. 


The Rev. Frank Getty, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rev. Samuel R. Lyons, D.D., 
Pastor, Reid Memorial United 
Presbyterian Church, 

Richmond, Ind. 


The. Rey. 
1D ID) 


R. W. McGranahan, 


Knoxville, Tenn. 


The Rev. Geo. McCormick, D.D., 
Flushing, N. Y. 


The Rey. A. R. Robinson, D.D., 
Pittsburg, Pa. 


The Rey. J. C. Scouller, D.D., 
e Philadelphia, Pa. 

The Rey. T. B. Turnbull, D.D., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 


The Rey. John R. White, 
' Winterset, Ia. 


WELSH PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH. 


Delegates appointed under action 
taken by the General Assembly of 
the Welsh Presbyterian Church at 
its meeting in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., 
September, 1907. 


The Rev. Hugh C. Griffith, 
Pastor, Welsh Presbyterian 


Church, 
Bangor, Pa. 


The Rev. John Hammond, M. A., 
Pastor, Welsh Presbyterion 


Church, 
Hyde Park, Scranton, Pa. 


The Rev. Robert T. Roberts, 
Pastor, First Welsh Presbyter- 


ian Church, 
Wilkes-Barre, Pa 


INDEX 


Addresses of Welcome, 321. 

Advisory power, Federal Council 
only has, 17. 

Aked, Rey. Charles F., 134, 483. 

Alliance, Evangelical, See Evangel- 
ical Alliance. 

Alliance, Lord’s Day, see Lord’s 
Day Alliance. 

Alternate members of Executive 
Committee, action regarding, 102. 

American Bible Society, see Bible 
Society, American. 

American Church a great missionary 

body, 417. 

Anderson, Rev. Asher, 21. 

Anthony, Rev. A. W., 35, 42, 49. 

Anti-Saloon League, report on com- 
munication from the, 78. 

Arrangements, Committees of, 541. 

Arrangements, report of Local Com- 
mittee of, 3. 

Association, Young Men’s Christian, 
see Young Men’s Christian Asso- 
ciation. 

Association, Young Woman’s Chris- 
tian, see Young Women’s Chris- 
tian Association. 


Barnes, Rev. H. W., 82, 120. 

Barton, Rev. James L., 28, 38-40, 
102, 166. 

Batman, Rev. L. G., 2, 20, 21. 

Bennett, Rev. Geo. 8., 3. 

Best, Mr. Nolan R., 120, 471. 

Bible Schools, Vacation, 129. 

Bible Society, American, 157, 169, 
261. 

Boocock, Rev. W. H. 85, 130. 

Boville, Rev. R. G., 72, 127. 

- Breyfogel, Bishop 8. C., 115. . 

Brotherhoods, 463; underlying idea 
of, 464; work, 466; not a machin- 
ery, 472. 


Business, Committee on, 9; report 
of, 41, 76, 78, 101, 145. 

By-Laws, 516. 

By-products, wealth through saving 
of, 386. * 

Buttz, Rev. Henry A., 41. 


Chaplains in navy, request urging 
the increase of the number of, 
145. 

Chapman, Rey. J. Wilbur, 77, 391. 

Chase, Rev. George Colby, 73. 

Child labor, duty of the Church re- 
garding, 71, 458. 

Christ and the Working Man, ad- 
dress by Bishop E. R. Hendrix, 
449. ¢ 

Christendom, Reunion of, address 
by Rev. Charles F. Aked, on, 483; 
History of Federation in Great 
Britain, 484; Importance of the 
Work of the Federal Coundil, 
485; advantages of this move- 
ment in a land where Church and 
State are separated, 485; refer- 
ences to the situation in the Unit- 
ed States by Gladstone and John 
Bright, 487; principles for which 
the Council stands, 488; reunion 
will conserve the best in all the 
chtrches, 489; need of religion 
and the ministry of the Church, 
490. 

Christian Endeavor, Young People’s 
Society of, 162, 324. 

Christianity, applied, 424. 


Christianity broader than any 
‘“ism,’? 455; a divine life, 469. 
Christian Unity at Home and 


Abroad, popular meetings in the 
interest of, 40. 

Christian Unity on the Foreign 
Field, 343-363; the prevailing 


571 


572 


spirit, 344; unity coming, 346; 
both desirable and necessary, 351; 
magnitude and difficulties of the 
work, 351; elementary needs, 352; 
reasons why union in non-Chris- 
tian lands is practicable, 353; 
occidental divisions should not be 
perpetuated, 354; Christian men 
should join forces common ac- 
tion, 355; the ideal unity to be 
sought for, 355; achievement of 
unity on foreign field, 356; action 
of Lambeth Conference, 1887, 
357; resolution proposed by Dr. 
Duff and adopted by Conference 
in New York, 1854, 358; influ- 
ence of the Week of Prayer, 358; 
boards of arbitration, 360; elim- 
ination of denominational distinc- 
tions, 361; action of the Shanghai 
.Conference, 362; the future and 
its promise, 363. 
Church, Mission of the, 453. 


Church and Labor, Department of, 


413; far reaching effects of ac- 
tion of Council regarding, 446. 
Church and Modern Industry, the 
226-243; discussion of resolutions, 
68; Jesus Christ the source of 
supreme authority, 226; the 
world’s Redeemer, 227; he came 
to make a fellowship of all 
classes, 228; the Church not an 
end in itself, 228; the establish- 
ment of the kingdom the prinfary 
work ot the Churches, 229; in- 
dustrial problems not identical in 
different countries, 229; indivi- 
dual attitude not to be inter- 
preted as the attitude of the 
Church itself, 230; basis upon 
which churches make appeal to 
men of every kind, 230; reasons 
for the hope that Federal Coun- 
cil may bring the churches in its 
fellowship into closer relations of 
helpfulness with the toiling mil- 


INDEX 


lions, 231-233; right of working- 
men to organize for social and 
industrial betterment, 234; state- 
ment and resolutions adopted by 
Council, 235-243; the Church not- 
withstanding its shortcomings has 
been the leading organized force 
in advancing high ethical stand- 
ards of life, 236; place of the 
Church to-day is a force in bet- 
tering conditions, 236, 237; what 
the churches should stand for, 
238, 239; recommendations, 239- 
242; commission on the Church 
and Social Service, 242; spirit 
and mission of the Church, 242, 
243. 

Church and Social Service, Commis- 
sion on, 242. 

Church and the Immigrant Prob- 
lem, report on the, 254. 

Churches, moral power of the world 
represented by the, 446. 


Churches, Letter Missive to the, 


509. 

Church Union, organic, not advis- 
able, 381. 

Cities, work in, 221, 412. 

Clinton, Bishop George W., 64. 

Commission, Interdenominational, 
of Maine, 188. 

Committees, Permanent, 531-533. 

Competition, evils of, 374. 

Congo Free State, action regarding 
conditions in the, 14. 

Constituent Bodies, 514. 

Constitution of the Federal Coun- 
cil, 512. 

Co-operative work in the thought of 
men of every generation, 324. 

Co-operation in Foreign Missions, 
see Foreign Missions, Co-opera- 
tion in. 

Correspondence, 
10, 42, 146. 

Corresponding Secretary, election of, 
144, 


Committee on, 9, 


INDEX 


Council, Home Mission, 220, 225. 

Cranston, Bishop Earl, 107, 62, 53, 
35, 102, 137, 144, 122, 108. 

Credentials, Report of Committee 

on, 3, 41. 

Creeds, Emphasis on life not upon, 
SOr 


Dana, Rev. Stephen W., Address of 
Welcome, 331. 

Davis, Rev. O. 8., 97, 254. 

Delegates appointed by constituent 
bodies, 556; present at the Coun- 
ceil, 533-540. 

Delk, Rev. E. H., 135, 137, 499. 

Denominations received into the fel- 
lowship of the Council by vote, 
42. 

Derrick, Rev. Bishop W. B., 20. 

Devins, Rev. John Bancroft, 9, 20, 
21, 144. 

Divisions, work of the churches hin- 
dered by, 409. j 

Divorce, Resolutions on, 318. 

Divorce laws, influence of Federa- 
tion of South Dakota in changing, 
13. 

Doane, Rt. Rev. Wm. C., 144, 312. 

Dubs, Bishop R., 41, 65. 

Dunning, Rev. Albert E., Address, 
492. 


Edmonds, 
419. 
Education, Association, The Nation- 

al, 287. 
Hiliott, Rev. George, 135, 424. 
Enrollment, Committee on, 10. 
Enthusiasm, call for Christian, 385. 
Erdman, Rey. Charles R., 436. 
Evangel, Religion a personal, 468. 
Evangelical Alliance, 324. 
Evangelical Union of the Philip- 
pin Islands, 183-185. 
Evangelical work, union in, 393. 
Evangelistic message, need of the, 
383. 


Mr. Franklin Spencer, 


573 


Evangelistic Work, the Church in, 
391. 

Executive Committee of Arrange- 
ments, report of the, 4. 


Family altar, danger in the neglect 
of the, 395. 

Family Life, report on, 312; dis- 
cussion, 144; report, 312; three 
things which threaten the sanc- 
tity of marriage, 313; action of 
New South Wales Commission, 
313; action of Church Committee 
in Canada, 314; meaning and 
sacredness of the marriage tie, 
314; danger of easy divorce, 315; 
recommendation of the Inter- 
Church Conference on Divorce, 
316; family life a sacrament, 
317; resolutions adopted by Coun- 
cil, 318, 101. 

Farewell Address, 149. 

Farewell Reception, 481. 

Federation, condition on foreign 
fields have compelled, 417; 
growth of, 409; early history, 12. 

Federations, local, report on, 16, 
274; action regarding representa- 
tion in this Council of, 76; dis- 
cussion on resolutions, 110, 130; 

work of, 113; plans of local organ- 
ization, 275; membership, 276; 
committees, 276; resolutions 
adopted by Council, 277. 

Federations, State, 187-201; discus- 
sion of resolutions, 42; field of, 
187; types, 188; definition, 46, 
188; organization, 190; work and 
methods, 192-196, 199; general 
principles of comity illustrated in 
Maine, 196, 197; permanent re- 
sults, how to secure them, 198, 
199; co-operation a common task, 
199; need of executive guidance, 
201; declarations and recommen- 
dations adopted by Council, 203- 
205; discussion, 42, 


574 


Federal Council, anticipated bene- 
fits, 335; character of and its 
relation to the Churches, 5; 
Churches represented, 7; field of, 
382; may become Annual Council 
of the Church of Christ in Amer- 
ica, 438; minutes of the, 1-152; 
mission of, 329; national in its 
relation, 322; not a casual phe. 
nomenon, 340; opening session, 1, 
2; place of meeting, 7, 8; poten- 
tialities for good, 331; program 
and proceedings, 8; relation to 
social tasks, 337; relation to the 


world, 322; religious character, 
321; representative character, 
321; significance, 24; help to 


those in charge of national af- 
fairs, 25; wherein it differs from 
most historic councils, 336; work 
of, see Organization and Devel- 
opment. 

Ferris, Rev. George E., 364. 

Foreign Field, Christian Unity on 
the, see Christian Unity on the 
Foreign Field. 

Foreign Missions, co-operation in, 
discussion of resolutions, 28; in- 
terest of mission workers in union 
movements, 167; organizations in 


behalf of united effort, Tokyo 
Conference, 170; Korea condi- 
tions in 172; India, 173, 175; 


publication work, 174; action of 
Madras Conferences of 1902, 1907 
and 1908, 175-178; action of 
Centenary Missionary Conference, 
Shanghai, China, May, 1907, 178- 
180, North China, co-operation in 
educational work, 180-183; Evan- 
gelical Union of the Philippine 
' Tslands, 183-185; recommenda- 
tions adopted by Council, 186; 
duty of co-operation should be 
emphasized, 37; elimination of 
artificial denominational lines, 31, 
38-40; impossible to transplant 


INDEX 


Christianity with a dictated form 
in foreign fields, 35; action of 
Council should aid in administra- 
tion, 36. 

Foreign population, duty towards, 
376. 

Foss, Bishop Cyrus D., 151. 

Fraternal relations, encouragement 
of, 405. 

Friendship, Christianity primarily 
means, 467. 

Fullerton, Rev. Baxter P., 41. 

Funds for support of the Council, 
report of Treasurer on, 146. 


Gambling, race track, 14; change of 
law through federated influence 
of the churches in the State of 
New York, 14. 

Garrison, Rey. J. H., 102. 

Gifford, Rev. O. P., 42. 

Gilbert, Rev. Levi, 33, 40, 93, 102, 
146, 366. 

Goodell, Rev. Charles L., 77, 383. 

Gospel, Simplicity of the, 369. 


Grenfell, Dr., Incident in life of, 


397. 
Grose, Rey. H. B., 90, 95. 


Hartshorn, Mr. W. N., 79, 244, 421. 
Haven, Rev. W. I., 96, 76, 144. 
Hayes, Mr. D. A., 440. 

Hendrix, Bishop E. R., 20, 22, 37, 
50, 56, 135, 147, 149, 206, 449, 
501. 

Hill, Rev. Edgar P., 56, 216. 

Home , Missions, Co-operation in, 
discussion of resolutions, 55, 77, 
216-225; urgent need of economy 
of forces, 217; difficulties of ad- 
ministration, 218; the way im 
which they are met in some states, 
219; scheme inadequate to met 
problem of the city, 220; Home 
Mission Council opens new era, 
220; the city problems, 221; spir- 
it, not a method, the essential 
thing, 222; ten imperative rea- 


INDEX 


sons for co-operation in work, 
222, 224: resolutions adopted by 
Council, 224, 225; the true test 
of, 408, 411. 


Hoss, Bishop E. E., 32, 63. 
Howerton, Rey. J. R., 101, 143. 
Hughes, Governor Charles E., 14. 


Immigrant Problem, Church and 
the, discussion of resolutions, 89; 
changed character of modern im- 
migration, 255, 256; reached by 
variety of work, 256, 257; de- 
mand for comity and federation, 
258; methods of work, 259, 260; 
resolutions adopted by Council, 
260-262. 

Incorporation of Council, 53. 

Ingraham, Mr. H. C. M., 144, 146. 

Intellectual difficulties, how to re- 
move, 400. 

Inter-Church Conference of 1905, 
notable utterances, 207-209. 

Inter-Church Temperance Confer- 
ence, 101. 

Inter-denominational Organizations, 
155; discussion of resolutions, 25; 
rapid development and usefulness, 
156; forerunners of Council, 157; 
work of these organizations, 157- 
164; resolutions adopted by Coun- 
cil regarding, 165; financial re- 
ports to be made to the Council 
by, 28; multiplication now unnec- 
essary, 27; relation of the 
churches to, 26; the way for co- 
operative work prepared by, 26. 

International Relations, Report on, 
discussion, 139; report, 296; 
Christianity permits but one code 
of morality, 296; international 
law Christian in its origin, 297; 
peace movement greatest of ali 
reforms, 297; duty of the Church, 
298; evils of war, 299; arbitra- 
tion agreements, 300; action of 


575 


United States, 301; permanent 
court of arbitration, 302; action 
of Hague Conferences 143035 per- 
manent Central American Court 
of Justice, 304; limitation of ar- 
maments, 304; problem a perplex- 
ing one, 306; creation of public 
sentiment, 306; cost of present 
armaments, 307; what the 
churches can do, 307; what young 
people’s societies can do, 309; 
Hague Day, 309; recommenda- 
tions adopted by the Council, 309; 
resolutions, 310. 
Ives, Rev. Joel S., 94, 101. 


Japan, The Christian Movement in, 
171; Evangelical Alliance, 171; 
Federation in, 172. 

John, Rev. Samuel A., 144. 

Judgment, principle of private, 367. 

Judson, President H. P., 77 


Kelley, Rev. Wm. V., 3. 

Kelly, President R. L., 124, 135. 
Kieffer, Rev. J. S., ps 150. 
Kimball, Alfred R., 5, 9, 51, 54, 76, 


146, 214. 
King, President W. L., 124. 
Kingdom of God, Establishment of, 
378. 
Korea, unity along lines of eccles- 
iastical organization in, 172. 
Kriebel, Rev. O. S., 99. 


Labor, Jesus Christ the Champion 
of, 461; American Federation of, 
264; movement based upon moral 
principles, 445; question an ever- 
present one, 60. 

Laymen’s Movement, 373. 

Leibert, Rt. Rev. M. W., 124. 

Leonard, Rev. A. B., 53, 76. 

Letter Missive, 507. 

Lincoln, H. C., 1. 

Local Federations, see Federations, 
Local, 


576 


Lord, Rev. Rivington D., 1, 2, 20, 
152. 

Los Angeles, Church Federation of, 
HT 

Lloyd, Rev. A. S., 40, 3438. 

Lyman, Rev. A. J., address in re- 
sponse to the welcome of the 
churches of Philadelphia, 339. 


MacCauley, Rev. Hugh B., 132. 

Mackay-Smith, Rt. Rev. Alexander, 
134, 481. 

McKelway, Rev. A. J., 71. 

Mackenzie, Rey. Robert, 38. 

MacMullen, Rey. Wallace, address 
in response to welcome of Phil- 
adelphia churches, 333. 

Maintenance of the Council, report 
on, 54, 215. 

Men, Religious, Coming to theit 
own, 492; the American ideal 
coming to be universal, 492; influ- 
ence of men’s organizations, 494; 
the United States a world power, 
494; reasons for a note of hope, 
495; significance of the meeting 
in the Lyric Theatre, 497; Amer- 
ican men ean be trusted, 497; 
Christian life and service a man’s 
job, 498; duty of making Jesus 
Christ known to others, 479; giv- 
ing of money not the only obliga- 
tion resting upon Christian, 478; 
how to interest, 473; older men 
should help younger, 476; pro- 
gram of work for, 477. 

Miller, Rev. Rufus R., 121. 

Milliken, Rev. H. P., 1. : 

Missive, Letter, see Letter Missive. 

Moody, D. L., 392, 397. 

Moore, Rey. W. T., 135. 

Moral problems, the conflict with 
intemperance the chief of, 105. 


Neely, Bishop Thomas B., 121, 144, 
135, 137, 146. 
Niccolls, Rev. S. J., 149, 


INDEX 


Nominations, Committee on, 20. 
North, Rev. F. M., 68, 124, 109, 75, 
144, 146, 226. : 


Officers of the Couneil, 525-530. 

Order, Rules of, 522. 

Organization and Development, Re- 
port on, 206-213; discussion of 
resolutions, 47; special mission of 
the Federal Council, 211;  pro- 
gram of the Council calls for ade- 
quate resources, 212; anticipated 
results, 212; recommendations 
adopted by Council calling for ef- 
fective service, 213. 


Pastor, Message of a, 389. 

Penny, Rev. F. D., 35, 107. | 

Philadelphia, Local Committee of 
Arrangements, 8; appreciation of 
the hospitality of the churches 
and homes of, 147. 

Plan of Federation, 11; amenda- 

tions, 56. - > 

Potter, Rev. R. H., 3, 51, 87, 97. 

Power, Rev. F. D., 102, 263. 

Preaching, The compelling type of, 
398. 

Presbyterian Board of Publication 
and Sunday-School Work, 147. 

President, Election of, 22. 

Press, Religious and Secular, 145. 

Program of the Council, 546. 

Protestantism, American, always 
more united than disunited, 341; 
as united as Roman Catholicism, 
367. 

Pugh, Mr. A. B., 102. 


Recording Secretary, and Assistant 
Secretaries, Duties of, 10. 

Reed, President G. E., 107, 135, 115, 
119. 

Rees, Rev. George E., address of 
welcome, 327. 

Religion, Week-Day Instruction in, 
see Week-Day Instruction in Re- 
ligion, 278. 


Religion in Higher Institutions, 
report on, 288; attempts to estab- 
lish morals upon other than a re- 
ligious basis, 289; morality re- 
quires aid of religious life, 290; 
education essentially a religious 
work, 291; motive of good citi- 
zenship, 292; work in colleges, 
293; State universities, 294; res- 
olutions adopted by Council, 294; 
discussion of report of Committee 
on, 124. . 

Religious Education 
287, 293. 

Religious Instruction through the 
Sunday-School, see Sunday-school, 
Religious Instruction Through. 

Religious Instruction, action on 
merging committees on, 130. 

Revival, the needed, 397. 

Reynolds, L. H., 21. 

Roberts, Rev. William H., 2, 4, 37, 
41, 78, 102, 144, 145, 146, 147, 
321, 466. 

Rogers, Dean Henry Wade, 139, 296. 


Association, 


Roman Catholics and _ Protestants, 


plea for practical co-operation of, 
375. 

Roosevelt, President, Telegram to, 
100; Letter from, 135. 

Root, Rey. E. T., 42, 46, 130, 187. 

Rules of Order, action regarding, 
144. 

Ryland, Rev. E. P., 110, 274. 


Sanford, Rev. E. B., 2, 8, 11, 18, 19, 
20, 41, 50, 99, 102, 144, 145, 147. 

Schwenkfelder Church, delegate 
seated as corresponding member 
from the, 99. 

Secular Press, see Press, Religious 
and Secular. 

Seminary students, need of, practi- 
cal experience in service, 72. 

Service, self-denying, 388. 

Shelley, Rev. A. S., 78. 

Social Conditions, Duty of ‘the 


INDEX 


577 


Churches Regarding, 70; relation 
of Christ to, 455. 

Socialism, why the Church may not 
adopt, 455. 

Social Service Department, resolu- 
tions regarding, 77. 

Social unrest, the Church and, 459. 

Souls, a plea for a Church of yearn- 
ing, 386. 


_Speer, Robert E., 351. 


Spencer, Rey. C. B., 21. 

State Federations, see Federations. 

Stelzle, Rev. Charles, 69, 88, 447, 
454. 

Stephers, President D. S., 124. 

Students Volunteer Movement, 163. 

Summerbell, Rev. Martyn, 21, 148. 

Sunday Observance, Report on, Dis- 
cussion, 102; report, 263; action 
of Government and labor organi- 
zations, 264; an obligation, 264; 
protected by federated action, 
266; resolutions adopted by Coun- 
cil, 266; discussion of report on, 
102. 

Sunday-school, Religious Instruction 
Through the, 244; discussion of 
resolutions, 79. 

Sunday-schools, action of Interna- 
tional Sunday-school Association 
regarding graded lessons fer, 87; 
fostering unity a mission of the, 
438. 

Sunday-School 
158. 


Union, American, 


Tagg, Rev. F. T., 124. 

Talbot, Rt. Rev. Ethelbert, 51, 77, 
124, 135, 404, 416. 

Temperance, Report on, 267; loss 
through the liquor traffic, 268; 
relation- to education and religion, 
269; duty of the Church, 270; in- 
dividual duty, 271; leadership of 
the Church, 272; recommendations 
adopted by the Council, 272; dis- 
cussion of resolutions, 103. 


578 INDEX 
Temperance Conference, Inter | Week-Day Instruction in Religion, 
Church, see Inter-Church Temper Report on, 278; action of Inter- 


ance Conference. 

Temperance Union, Women’s Chris- 
tian, 162. 

Tent work, 392. 

Thanks, Report of Committee on 
Resolution of, 146. 

Theology of To-day Christocentric, 
372. 

Thompson, Rey. Charles L., 67, 77, 
102, 408. 

Tomkins, Rev. Floyd W., 1. 

Tract Society, American, 158, 169, 
261. 

Trades’ Unions, 75. 

Treasurer, Report of, 18. 

Trenton, N. J., Church Federation 
of, 132. 

Twentieth Century, the, Its Message 
to the Churches, 209-210. 


Union African Methodist Episcopal 
action of Council on 
membership of 


Chureh, 
application for 
the, 42. 

Union, . Denominational families 
should be brought into organic, 
371. 


Vacation Bible Schools, see Bible 
Schools, Vacation. ; 

Vacation Bible School Committee, 
National, 295. 

Vennema, Rev. Ame, 25, 155. 

Vernon, Rey. S. M., 1. 


Wage Earners and their Relation to 
the Churches, see Church and 
Modern Industry, The. 

Wagener, Gen. Louis, 55. 

Ward, Rev. Wm. Hayes, 80, 108. 


Church Conference, 278; condi- 
tions in the United States, 279; 
work of the Sunday-schools, 280; 
parochial schools, 280; American 
system, 281; what the Church asks 
of the State, 282; fruit of diseus- 
sion, 282; parochial solution of 
problem, 283; courses of study, 
284; apathy of general public 
chief difficulty, 285; recommenda- 
tions and resolutions adopted by 
Council, 286; discussion of 
amended resolutions on, 135; dis- 
cussion of the report of the Com- 
mittee on, 115. 

Welcome Addresses of, 321-331. 

Wells, Mr. Edwin §., 108. 

Weaver, Rev. J. L., 74. 

Wenner, Rev. Geo. U., 115, 135, 278. 

West, Pioneer work in, 410. 

Whitaker, Rt. Rev. Ozi W., 462. 

Wilson, Bishop L. B., 103, 108, 109, 
135, 144. 

Willson, Hon. Robert N., 4, 147. 

Winton, Rev. Geo. B., 124, 144. 

Wolle, Rev. Edward S., 2. 

Wood, Rev. Hervey, 75. 

Working Man, Christ and the, see 
Christ and the Working Man. 

Workers, How to raise up, 399. 


Young manhood and young woman- 
hood, the Church and, 434. 

Young Men’s Christian Association, 
261, 293, 295, 309, 324, 373, 437. 

Young Woman’s Christian Associa- 
tion, 161, 295, 324. 

Young People, Relation of the 
Church to, 419, 430, 432, 437. 


206 F293 1908 459870 


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